Low Fat Cooking

Pork tenderloin makes a nice change from chicken breast. It is also quick to cook, especially if you have a grill and quicker still if you have a contact grill. The end result is a delicious, succulent lean piece of meat the whole family will enjoy. If you have time, marinate this lemon-lime pork tenderloin for a few hours for maximum flavor.

_{Lemon-Lime Pork Tenderloin Photo © Fiona Haynes, licensed to About.com}

For me, there are two Mother's Days: the U.K. one, known as Mothering Sunday, which is in March, where I remember my own mother, and the U.S. one, which is on May 12th this year, when my two girls will no doubt put together a yummy breakfast feast for me (girls, are you reading this?).

If it's your turn to treat mom this year, I have 10 low-fat Mother's Day recipes that should fit the bill, ranging from delicious breakfast or brunch options to dinner and dessert.

_{Crepes Photo © Fiona Haynes, licensed to About.com}

My wished-for breakfast on Mother's Day is blueberry pancakes, made with plump, fresh blueberries. While pancakes may not be the healthiest of breakfasts, using lower-fat ingredients, limiting the number of pancakes you eat, and not going crazy with the toppings and sides, will all help to save fat calories, and indeed total calories. Personally, I'm content with a drizzle of warm maple syrup or a fresh fruit compote made from lightly sweetened warmed berries.

_{Blueberry Pancakes Photo © Fiona Haynes, licensed to About.com}

Cinco de Mayo gives us a great excuse to indulge in some Mexican-inspired recipes, some of which may already be a weeknight staple, such as tacos on taco night, or something similar. But in honor of this triumphant day in Mexico's history, when the small Mexican army defeated the larger French army at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, here are some Low Fat Cinco de Mayo recipes, including some delicious beef tacos (pictured).

_{Beef Tacos Photo © Fiona Haynes, licensed to About.com}

Even though the coldest weather has passed, it doesn't mean to say we should put away the soup pot. There are some delicious soups that are perfect for milder weather, too. This low-fat, high-fiber pea and mint soup makes a fragrant and flavorful spring lunch or appetizer. You could even serve it cold, depending on the weather. Top this soup with a dollop of tangy fat-free Greek yogurt and some sprigs of fresh mint.

_{Pea and Mint Soup Photo © Fiona Haynes, licensed to About.com}

Succulent pork tenderloin pairs well with fresh pineapple for this easy and delicious recipe for pork and pineapple kebabs. The good thing about pork is that although it is strictly a red meat, despite its famous advertising slogan declaring it to be the "other white meat," pork is indeed lean. The tenderloin is about as lean as a boneless, skinless chicken breast, which makes it ideal for those of us eating low fat. Enjoy these pork and pineapple kebabs with some whole grain rice and steamed veggies.

_{Pork and Pineapple Kebabs Photo © Fiona Haynes, licensed to About.com}

Growing up in England, I fondly remember eating fish and chips. Generously sprinkled with malt vinegar and an unhealty dose of salt, the deep-fried, battered cod and chips was as delicious as it was unhealthy. Yet fish and chips needn't be a dietary nightmare. Dispense with the deep fryer and make this leaner, more nutritious version. Halibut or cod are perfect for this recipe as they are mild-tasting, chunky-textured fish, which make them a favorite with children and adults alike. Serve this skinny fish and chips meal with a wedge of lemon and a side dish of peas.

_{Skinny Fish and Chips © Fiona Haynes, licensed to About.com}

It's a little easier to spot high-fat foods on menus these days. After all, many restaurants now publish calorie counts, though not terribly accurately, as researchers from Tufts University have noted. More comprehensive calorie count requirements, covering a wider range of restaurants, still seem a long way off. Yet eating out can be the undoing of many a diet. Without adequate labeling plus overly large portion sizes, it's easy to overeat at restaurants. You can help yourself a little by becoming acquainted with some of the descriptions that indicate a food is high in fat. Some are obvious; others may be less so. So here's a guide to spotting some typically high-fat foods in restaurants.

The holiday season aside, nothing undoes a diet more than a vacation. This may be due to the feeling that a vacation should also mean a vacation from your diet; but often it's due to a lack of choice. After all, airports, diners and rest stops are hardly known for their healthy options. It is possible to buy fruit, yogurt and granola bars, but some of these can be oversized, sugar-filled and therefore calorie dense. Still, if you are determined to eat well on your spring fling or summer break, it's not impossible. Here's how to eat low fat on the road.

Spring may have sprung, but it in many places it is still cold enough for hot soup. So here's a nice and light spring vegetable soup that's both low fat and low calorie. For a satisfying lunch, enjoy this healthy vegetable soup with an equally healthy turkey, lettuce and tomato sandwich, made with whole-grain bread, of course.

_{Spring Vegetable Soup Photo © Fiona Haynes, licensed to About.com}