Dr. Lazarus

While the average American is inundated with news about diet and nutrition, it is often this surplus of information that creates misinformation. Having a working knowledge of nutrition is not only essential to making the right choices for yourself, it will also help you determine fact from fiction the next time someone tells you about the latest diet they are on. Nutritionists spend years in school to become experts, but all you need is a basic understanding of nutrients, calories and what they mean for your body.

While exercising will help you get into shape, most weight loss happens in the kitchen. In order to lose weight and have a fitter body, you need to eat the right foods in the right amounts. Here are five healthy eating tips to help you lose weight and improve your health.

Going on a diet usually means following a strict set of guidelines. You know before you even start exactly how many calories, points or fat grams you’re allowed to consume and your favorite foods are almost always taken off the menu. You’re led to believe that all you have to do is jump right into the plan and soon you’ll be shedding the pounds.

It's the mysterious yellow condiment with which we smother everything from tuna salad to BLTs. Unfortunately, mayonnaise is high in cholesterol. That's because it's made with eggs--and not the healthier white part of the egg, either. Mayonnaise is made solely with the yolk--the part of the egg that's highest in cholesterol, fat, and calories. So, how can you get that creamy, slightly tangy taste in a healthier form? Try substituting plain, low-fat Greek yogurt. You'll completely cut the cholesterol while getting a healthy serving of protein. A typical 6-ounce serving of Greek yogurt contains 15 to 20 grams of protein. Your coleslaw recipe just got a lot healthier!