How to beat 'healthy food boredom

Anyone who follows a healthy diet knows that, after awhile, you just get 'bored' of eating only healthy foods all the time. For one thing, most people make the mistake of eating the same foods over and over again. But you can only eat so many egg-white and veggie omelets before you start craving a nice stack of buttermilk pancakes with bacon!

The solution is to mix it up - try different healthy foods in new combinations in order to keep your brain (and tastebuds) from getting bored. Also - this is very important - most people do best by having one 'cheat meal' per week. This is one meal when you can basically eat anything you want. If you're following a healthy diet and workout routine the rest of the week it shouldn't have any negative affect at all. It's a great way to give your brain a 'break' after a week of disciplined eating.

A recent article on MSN Women provided some good tips for avoiding healthy food boredom:

1. Change your oil.

Are you parked in a fat-free zone? Not all fats are bad. Olive oil, for instance, can help lower cholesterol, and walnut oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which help keep your heart healthy. Just a splash goes a long way in the flavor department -- use a tablespoon of healthful oil when you stir-fry vegetables and chicken or mix up a zesty salad dressing.

2. Top it off.

Healthful cereal can get boring quickly if you don't dress it up. Try adding slivered almonds, dried cranberries, chopped dates or cantaloupe to your high-fiber cereal favorites for a whole new breakfast.

3. Spice it up.

Variety may be the spice of life, but spices are what add variety to a healthful diet. Top salads, chicken and fish with fresh herbs such as basil, rosemary, oregano or tarragon, or liven up a tame dish with a little zest of lemon or orange peel.

4. Crunch and munch.

With a little creativity, you can add some enjoyable crunchy texture to healthful favorites. Make good-for-you "fried" chicken, fish sticks or onion rings: Dredge the food in flour, dip it in egg whites, roll it in crumbled corn flakes and then bake at 350 degrees F until golden and cooked through, about 20 to 30 minutes. Or, instead of serving regular corn tortillas with a meal, cut them into strips and scatter them evenly on a baking sheet. Spray them with nonstick vegetable spray and bake at 375 degrees F until golden, about 5 to 10 minutes. Toss the crunchy bits into salad or soup.

5. Get nutty.

Nuts should not be shunned; they contain healthful fats, are good sources of vitamin E and magnesium and taste darn good. A number of recent studies have also shown that nuts can help lower cholesterol and blood pressure. Add a handful to cereals, salads or even vegetable dishes (think green beans with almonds).

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