Choosing the right ingredients when cooking your meals can make a huge impact on your health.  Follow these cooking tips to make your meals not only delicious but healthy as well.

1. Use healthy fats like olive oil instead of butter.  But remember to use them in moderation because all fats are loaded with calories.

2. Choose unrefined grains like brown rice and bulgur.  These whole grains still have their bran intact that means it has more fiber, Vitamin B, magnesium, zinc and other nutrients compared to refined grains.

3. Eat more fruits and vegetables.  Try eating 5 to 13 servings of fruit and veggies a day.

4. Eat small amounts of lean meat, fish and poultry.  Partner these meats with healthy vegetables and whole grains.

5. Cut your intake of saturated fat from dairy products by choosing low-fat or nonfat products.

6. Decrease your intake of sweeteners.  Sugars of any kind, whether corn syrup, white sugar, brown sugar, honey or maple syrup, add significant calories without any nutritive value.

7. Enhance the flavor of your food by adding fresh herbs, spices and citrus.

8. Follow the USDA’s dietary guidelines for the recommended sodium intake.  Americans should consume less than 2,300 mg or about 1 teaspoon of salt daily.