Do You Need a Health Coach? Pointers from the Pros

"In restaurants, use the 'plan, scan, or can' technique. Beforehand, decide on a food plan—for example, that you'll start with a fiber-rich salad or vegetable-based soup. When the waiter hands you the menu, give it a cursory scan to hone in on your choices, and ignore everything else. (Once you lock in on the fettuccine Alfredo, it can be tough to resist.) If you want to order a favorite, less nutritious dish, make your selection healthier by asking, 'Can I have steamed veggies instead of fries?' or 'Can you grill the fish tacos rather than fry them?'"

—Lisa Cummings, Westport, Connecticut