Should Your Family Eat This or That?

Spaghetti or Macaroni and Cheese?

The better choice: Spaghetti.

If your child likes to slurp up marinara with his spaghetti, then you've got a winner by an(angel) hair. Tomato sauce is significantly lower in fat and calories than the melted Cheddar that's all over the elbow macaroni. It also contains lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that may prevent certain types of cancer and heart disease. Make sure you have a jar of the red stuff on hand, as noodles with butter won't give you the healthy lift.

 Keep in mind: To lower the risk of heart disease and diabetes, pick whole-grain pasta instead of ones made with enriched flour. Whole-grain pasta can have a strong flavor, so don't skimp on the sauce. (You can also replace marinara with a lean-meat Bolognese.)