Maintaining a healthy weight is all about the math. It’s calories in versus calories out, i.e. expended. I will leave the expending of calories to the exercise experts, but I will give you tips on how to make the most out of your calories!

Magazines, books, television, websites, and blogs have featured nutrition fads. One of those fads heeded by those trying to diet or eat healthy are low calories foods. While it is important to stay within your daily-recommended calorie needs, the foods advertised as low calorie might not always be the healthiest choice. Often these are processed foods high in sugar and salt that are packed in smaller quantities to be considered low calorie. Instead fill your meals and snacks with nutrient rich foods, those packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber, and protein that your body needs. We covered fruits and vegetables last week so here are some additional suggestions for making smart, healthy choices:

Grab Whole Grains

A good starting point is to eat at least 3 ounces a day of whole-grains, half of the daily-recommended amount for grains. This can be cereals, pastas, breads, rice, or crackers. A good way to tell is to check the label and see if the grains (wheat, rice, oats, corn) are referred to as “whole.”

Concentrate on Calcium

Dietary guidelines recommend 3 servings of Calcium rich foods. Choose from low-fat or fat free milk, low-fat yogurt, or low-fat cheese.

Pack in Protein

The idea with protein is to seek out lean meats and poultry. Additional sources include fish, beans, peas, nuts, and seeds.

Look at the Label

The truth about a food can be found on its label. The front of the box might say low calorie, but you turn it around and the label reveals additional information. Look for foods low in saturated fats and trans fats. When choosing prepared foods and beverages reach for those with little added salt and/or sugar.

The key to making your calories count is to make smart choices across food groups. Improved nutrition is balanced nutrition and this can be achieved by varying the nutrient packed foods you eat every day.

So next time you are tempted in the grocery store by that 100 calorie pack of Oreos, think to yourself “am I getting the bang for my buck?” – calorie buck that is.

For more information on how many calories you should be eating each day and serving size recommendations for the various food groups mentioned check out:

www.healthierus.gov/dietaryguidelines and www.mypyramid.gov

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Lauren Futrell Dunaway, MPH, RD, graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Dietetics.  She then completed her dietetic internship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. After becoming a Registered Dietitian, she began to pursue a Master of Public Health in Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition at Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. Lauren currently works at the Tulane Prevention Research Center as a program manager for their core research project focusing on the built environment and how it affects obesity.