Simple strategies for eating well

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We fall for silly fad diets (cabbage soup at every meal!) in part because they make food choices simple. But healthy eating doesn't have to be hard work, says Kathleen Zelman, R.D., a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, in Chicago. In fact, by following these simple tactics, eating right becomes almost no trouble at all.

Select a spectrum of colorful foods. This almost guarantees that you're eating a balanced diet. And remember: with fruits and vegetables, strong color is usually a sign of nutritional superiority. For example, dark leafy greens are more nutrient-dense than pale ones.

Have a snack each day at three o'clock, a time when blood sugar tends to drop. Munch on an apple or low-fat yogurt to beat the lull.

Put fruit in your cereal. Try blueberries, which contain anthocyanins-antioxidants that can protect against heart disease.

Order dessert. Satisfying your sweet tooth could stave off cravings later, and by "saving room for dessert," you'll be less inclined to clean your dinner plate. Just ask for two spoons and share.

Buy orange juice, cottage cheese and rice that are calcium-fortified to help boost your calcium intake and prevent osteoporosis.--Nicci Micco