Wise Choices Ease the Sting of Swimsuit Season

(ARA) - The end of winter seems like it should be a time to rejoice. Instead, many people experience a twinge of dread when they realize that the arrival of spring also means the advent of swimsuit season. But a few simple, wise food and exercise choices can help people embrace the sights and sounds of spring and a healthy lifestyle.

"Spring is the time when a lot of us remember our New Year's resolution to eat better and exercise more," says Karen Miller Kovach, M.S., R.D., chief scientific officer of Weight Watchers International, Inc.. "Some of us may feel we can just hang up our swimsuits until next year if we haven't been sticking to our resolutions. But it's never too late to start making better choices."

Here are a handful of smart choices that can help you prep for spring fashions and keep you on the path to your health goals year-round.

* Stick to snacks that include protein. Protein will be more satisfying and help you feel full longer. Snacks like chips or cookies alone, won't make you feel full for long and offer no significant nutritional value. Instead try a slice of low-fat cheese or peanut butter on top of your cracker.

* Explore new things, such as a fruit or veggie, or a recipe that uses a sensible food option in a new way. "Discovering a new fruit or vegetable is a great way to add variety and a nutritional boost to your spring meals," says Kovach.

* Portion control is another strategy you should consider to help you achieve your weight goals. Weight Watchers yogurt, available in 6-ounce, single-serve cups, contain only 100 calories. Four-ounce 4-packs are available at mass retailers and are only 70 calories. Think small when it comes to how you serve your food, as well. Placing food on a small dish can help you avoid overeating.

* When dining out, or when you're in any situation where the portion size is not familiar, it's a good idea to eat only a third of the portion you are served and then stop to assess if you feel satisfied.

* Substitution can help you replace high-calorie items like butter or mayonnaise with wiser choices. Instead of heavy, calorie-laden dips, try salsa or guacamole instead. (But remember that a serving of guacamole is two tablespoons, not a whole cup.) Dip celery sticks into a tablespoon or two of hummus, instead of creamy sauces that include full fat mayonnaise. Rather than indulging in a large bagel with cream cheese, consider a satisfying Weight Watchers English muffin with a tablespoon of reduced fat peanut butter.

* You don't have to banish desserts from your life. Remember to make sensible choices - such as a fruit cup instead of cherry-topped cheesecake or low-fat ice cream instead of full-fat varieties. The new Weight Watchers ice cream cups, available in 6-ounce two-packs at Wal-Mart, are ideal for helping with portion control. Each cup is one serving and contains 7 grams of fiber and 5 grams of protein. The new ice creams are available in a variety of delicious flavors including Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Chocolate Fudge Brownie, Mint Chocolate Chip or Turtle Sundae ice cream.

For a light, healthful spring lunch, try the following recipe for Cranberry Nut Salad, which has a POINTS (R) value of 5 per serving:

Cranberry Nut Salad

Ingredients:
1 pound boneless, skinless turkey breast, cooked and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1/3 cup fat-free mayonnaise
3 tablespoons Weight Watchers vanilla yogurt
6 tablespoons chopped scallions
1/4 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
2 tablespoons dried cranberries
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/8 teaspoon table salt, or to taste
1/8 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
4 cups romaine lettuce, torn

Preparation:

Combine all ingredients, except lettuce, in a medium bowl. Mix well and serve over lettuce. Yields about 1 1/2 cups per serving.

To learn more about wiser food choices, visit www.weightwatchers.com/yogurt.

Courtesy of ARAcontent