What foods are healthy for you?

What are some healthy foods I'd like?

• I really want to start eating healthier. It's not so much that I look big (5'4 and 160 lbs), but I just feel gross when I eat. Nothing I eat is healthy. The problem is, I am a VERY PICKY eater. The only foods I like are junk :(. I especially have a weakness for desserts! Foods I like are chicken, potatoes, pizza, all desserts, lettuce, carrots, popcorn, ice cream, chips, macaroni and cheese, spaghetti, bakery bread but not like wonder bread and all those, peanut butter, crackers, and I drink mostly water. I am a swimmer but I swim two or three times a week at most. I do like to tumble, but I don't have money to do that. I am a member at the Y but finding times to do that is hard. However, if I said I would go to the Y after school for an hour and a half on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and maybe Saturday or something then it would be easier to hold myself accountable. Anyway, can you please suggest recipes/foods for me to try? It would be greatly appreciated. Also: I hate spicy foods, Mexican, Asian, eggs, most meats, drinking milk, sandwich bread, soda.

• Answer:

  You could start by substituting your usual junk foods with a healthier alternative or simply just make some changes. From the lists of foods you listed above: Popcorn - eat it plain, not smothered in butter and seasonings. Potatoes - baked not fried. Skip the sour cream and bacon toppings. Ice cream - try frozen yogurt instead. You could always top it with fresh fruit. Mac and cheese - switch to whole wheat pasta. Use low fat cheese and don't add so much. Spaghetti - again, switch to whole wheat pasta. Skip the cream based sauce and opt for tomato based. Bulk it up with lots of vegetables, like you mentioned that you like carrots. Chips - baked or kettle cooked, not fried.