Food isn’t just about nutrition — it’s about pleasure, too! Eating light and healthy is not about limitation — it’s about feasting on a wonderful variety of great-tasting foods. Of course, eating well also means paying attention to fats and calories. You can still gain weight even though you’re filling up on good-for-you foods if your portions are too big or the total fat content of your diet is too high.

Whether you’re eating in or dining out, it’s entirely possible to turn a meal into a light, luscious feast without feeling deprived. Just follow these tips:

• Emphasize fresh, seasonal produce in your menus; it adds great flavor to every bite.
• Sprinkle chopped, fresh herbs on foods during the last few minutes of cooking; herbs provide a burst of intense flavor without adding fat or calories.
• Serve meals on a salad plate instead of a regular dinner plate — you’ll take less food and still get the visual satisfaction of a full plate.
• Eat slowly, savoring each bite. Put your fork down when you’re satisfied rather than stuffed.
• Turn your plate into a colorful palette of differently colored foods for a total sensory experience.

• Start your meal with a large, veggie-heavy salad or a broth-based soup. Studies show that if you fill up on low-calorie foods first, you’ll feel fuller sooner and eat less of a calorie-laden entrée.
• Try an appetizer as your main dish. They’re usually smaller and often have fewer calories than entrées.
• Know the clues to menu items loaded with fat. Avoid selections labeled batter-dipped, breaded, creamy, rich, buttery, pan-fried or deep-fried.
• Share your dessert with one (or more!) of your dining companions.
• Keep portion size in mind. Remember, the recommended serving size of cooked meat is 3 ounces, which is about the size of a deck of playing cards. If the portions are huge, don’t feel obligated to clean your plate.

It’s easy to turn any meal into a light, yet satisfying experience. When you consider the benefits to your health and waistline, the tried-and-true tips outlined here will become second nature to you.