(ARA) - Americans are on a health kick, or at least would like to be. While 54 percent of American consumers report that they "strive to make food choices that offer a balance between good nutrition and taste," another 54 percent would still "like to eat healthier," according to a national consumer survey conducted by Caravan Research for White Wave, makers of Silk soymilk and other soyfoods. 

What stops many Americans from making the dietary changes that can benefit our health? According to the survey, fear that healthier food options will taste bad, and lack of knowledge about what foods to buy and how to prepare them are common barriers. 

"Food manufacturers have become very innovative," says Tamara Schryver, registered dietician. "With so many options on the market today, all it takes is a little experimentation to find the healthy foods that you like." 

Here are five resources for consumers to make eating healthier a little easier. 

1. Read the label. It's not such a chore anymore. Many foods prominently display their health benefits as a way to educate consumers. Look for labels with the American Heart Association seal or Food and Drug Administration endorsements. Just be mindful that there are minimum daily serving requirements in order to get the health benefits. 

2. Use the Internet. The Internet is a valuable resource for health information and recipes. For example, White Wave's site, www.SilkIsSoy.com features an interactive menu planner that allows users to select healthy, soy-based recipes for the week, complete with printable instructions and a customized shopping list. 

3. Try healthier versions of familiar foods. Foods like reduced-fat cheese, veggie burgers and calcium-enriched orange juice are tasty and convenient ways to get the nutrition we need and the tastes we love. 

4. Check out organics. With the USDA's recent announcement of national organic standards, consumers can purchase organic products with confidence knowing that they are free of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, and are not genetically engineered. Consumers can expect to see consistent labeling beginning in June 2001. And you don't have to shop exclusively at natural foods stores to find organic foods anymore. Many mainstream grocery stores have natural and organic foods sections. 

5. Discover the joy of soy. Not only has the FDA endorsed soy as a heart-healthy product, but most recently, the American Heart Association announced that it encourages increased consumption of soy protein as part of a low-fat diet. Consuming at least 25 grams of soy protein daily can help lower blood cholesterol levels and the risk of heart disease. 

Reading the labels and selecting the right foods are the first steps to a healthier lifestyle. Preparing them can be just as easy. Try these recipes for an easy and tasty meal with the goodness of soy and visit www.SilkIsSoy.com for additional soy recipe and meal recommendations. 
 
  EDITOR'S NOTE: White Wave, Inc. was established in Boulder, Colo. in 1977 by Steve Demos, company president. Demos' belief in "business without guilt" has made White Wave one of the largest manufacturers of soyfoods in the country. Today, as a privately held company, it has over 100 employees with annual sales nearing $85 million. White Wave produces more than 40 soy products including Silk soymilk, Silk cultured soy yogurt and White Wave tofu and tempeh. For more information, visit www.SilkIsSoy.com. 
 

Herbed Oatmeal Scones

1 cup rolled oats 
1 1/4 cups Silk soymilk mixed with 1 Tbsp. lemon juice or vinegar 
1/2 cup chopped and loosely packed herbs of your choosing (parsley, chives, sage, savory thyme, rosemary, etc.) 
1 1/4 cups unbleached flour 
1 tsp. sugar 
1/2 tsp. baking soda 
1/2 tsp. salt 
Caraway seeds for sprinkling on top (optional) 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place the rolled oats in a dry blender or food processor, and whirl until the oats are ground to a fine meal. Pour them into a small bowl, and stir in the soymilk mixture. Add the herbs. In a medium bowl, mix the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt. Pour in the oat mixture, and mix briefly with a fork. Divide the dough in two. With wet hands, pat each half of the dough into an 8-inch circle in a lightly oiled or nonstick 9-inch cookie pan. Score each circle into six wedges. Sprinkle the tops with caraway seeds. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden, and serve hot. 

(For a sweet scone, omit the herbs and sprinkle the tops with sugar before baking. You can also add 1/4 cup dried currants or other dried fruit.) 

Yields 12 scones. Serving size equals one scone. Nutritional Information (per serving): Calories 79; Protein 3 g; Carbohydrates 14 g; Dietary fiber 1 g; Total fat 1 g; Saturated fat >1 g; Sodium 133 mg. 
 

Pudding or Pie Filling -Use the same cooking instructions for both flavors (omitting the cocoa for the vanilla) 

Chocolate

1/3 cup cocoa 
1/2 cup sugar 
1/2 tsp. salt 
1/4 cup cornstarch (1/3 cup if making a pie) 
3 cups Silk soymilk 
3 Tbsp. margarine 
1 tsp. vanilla 
 

Vanilla

1/2 cup sugar 
1/4 cup cornstarch 
1/2 tsp. Salt 
3 cups Silk soymilk 
3 Tbsp. margarine 
2 tsp.vanilla 

Combine the cocoa, sugar, salt and cornstarch and mix well. Then add the soymilk, whipping constantly. Bring this mixture to a boil over medium heat, still whipping constantly, then lower the heat and cover. Let boil gently for 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat and whip in the margarine and vanilla. Pour into a bowl or baked pie crust and chill. 

Serving size equals one cup. Chocolate Nutritional Information (per serving): Calories 300; Protein 6 g; Carbohydrates 51g; Dietary fiber 3 g; Total fat 11 g; Sodium 307 mg. 

Serving size equals one cup. Vanilla Nutritional Information (per serving): Calories 325; Protein 5 g; Carbohydrates 48g; Dietary fiber >1 g; Total fat 13 g; Sodium 338 mg. 

Courtesy of ARA Content, www.aracontent.com, e-mail: info@aracontent.com