Pasta

"You can take foods that are meant to be enjoyed and make them nutritious," says Clerkin, who eats fresh pasta a couple times a week. (Find fresh pasta in the refrigerated section at grocery stores, or at a farmer's market.)

Balance out pasta with lean protein (like fish or chicken), healthy fats (like olive oil), and plenty of fiber-rich veggies, advises Clerkin. As a rule, Clerkin matches the quantity of pasta she eats with an equal amount of vegetables.

Beller, another pasta lover, orders it with marinara sauce as a side to fish at a favorite Italian restaurant. "Ask for it to be cooked al dente," she advises. "The firmer pasta will help keep your blood sugar more stable."