5 Habits to Steal from Nutritionists

Paying attention to food order—that is, eating each component of your meal in a precise progression—may sound a bit obsessive, but Kristen Smith, MS, RD, LD and a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, swears by it, at least when it comes to one food group. She always starts her meal with a fruit or vegetable, for two reasons. First, it helps ensure she won't be too full later for those vitamin- and mineral-rich foods. Second, fruits and veggies tend to be packed with fiber, so they provide satiety—meaning she winds up eating less overall.