How have you lowered the fats and calories of some of your families meals?

I review the school lunch menu and on days when the selections look on the heavy side, I’ll try to pack healthier lunches for my boys. They usually take lunch two or three times a week, and they enjoy it because I always pack what I know they will eat–fruit, sandwiches on whole wheat bread, baked chips or a low-fat cookie.

Charese, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

I buy big and little bottles of water. The big ones are for me and my husband, and the smaller ones are for the kids. They like the idea of having these kid-sized bottles and I think it’s actually got them drinking more water than they might otherwise.

Elizabeth, Mankato, Minnesota

Even though real butter is a saturated fat that everyone says you should avoid, it is also the best tasting and satisfying. Therefore, I try to use a small amount of the real thing in my family’s meals. You wind up being more satisfied and you do less binging to try to make up for not being satisfied with the fake stuff.

Rita, Glenview, Illinois

I always have a plate of cut-up veggies on the table with a glass of water when they come home from school. They can snack on that first, and then if they're still hungry, I offer a piece of fruit, low-fat homemade banana bread, or low-sugar/fat yogurt. If they fill up on "nature's" snacks first, they almost are never hungry for anything else before dinner. And, then they even eat smaller portions at dinner.

Stacey, Dix Hills, New York

I lowered fats by checking labels carefully for the amount per serving of total fat, saturated fats, trans-fats and cholesterol because one of my sons has a thyroid condition that raises his cholesterol. We aim for zero added cholesterol and under 3 percent saturated fats. We also avoid fried and fast foods, and cook with olive oil.

Elizabeth, Salem, Oregon

Last year I switched to a primarily vegetarian, low-fat diet to combat my high cholesterol. At age 46, I decided it was time to get serious about my health. Although my husband and young daughter still eat meat, since I am the primary chef in the house, they have benefited from my new way of thinking about food. Instead of high fat meats, my daughter will often (and happily!) eat grilled tofu, hummus, or vegetarian baked beans for lunch.

Julie, Austin, Texas