Cut down on calories with a grater

Did you know that your kitchen grater can be a great tool for calorie and health-conscious meals? Believe it or not, it's true. According to Shape, a cup of grated cheddar contains 77 fewer calories than a cup of diced. So they next time you're reaching for a calorie-dense food, consider grating it instead of slicing or dicing it. You're likely to use less and, as as added perk, grated food distributes more evenly. Try grating cheese over salads or steamed veggies. Also, a small amount of grated chocolate is delicious on strawberries and lite whipped topping.

A grater is also a great tool for tricking kids into eating their veggies. I'm pretty lucky in that respect; my son loves vegetables. In fact, the other night I made a quick dinner of whole grain mac and cheese with steamed cauliflower and broccoli. My son went back for seconds on the steamed veggies and barely touched the mac and cheese. But if your kids aren't quite as willing, pull out the grater. You can grate carrots, zucchini, or summer squash into marinara sauce. Also, many baked goods can be enhanced with the addition of grated zucchini or carrots.

For more healthy eating tips, check out AOL Body.