Ay Carambola!

Tired of peaches and apples as your fruit/carb choice? Try some of these healthy and tasty options that you can still buy in winter time. Self magazine even gives you ways to use them in meals!

Guava

Buy it: Guava has a slightly spicy flavor, like cinnamon. Bonus: The yellow-to-bright-red beauty gives you as many antioxidants as broccoli does.

Try it: Peel and eat the guava fresh, or puree the pulp and add citrus juice, onion and spices for a sauce to pour over grilled chicken.

Papaya

Buy it: Cut through its thick skin to get the juicy insides: Papaya is a great source of skin-saving vitamin A and papain, an enzyme that aids digestion.

Try it: Use chopped ripe papaya to sweeten spicy tomato salsa. If it's still green, shred and toss with sesame-soy dressing for an Asian slaw.

Feijoa

Buy it: One cup of feijoa—it has sweet flesh and a jellylike center—nets a hefty dose of folate, which may lower your risk for breast cancer.

Try it: Slice the fruit in half widthwise, skip the skin and scoop out the pulp directly from the shell with a spoon, as you would with a kiwi.

Prickly pear

Buy it: It sounds sharp, but the prickly pear is actually mild and tasty. One cup has nearly 10 percent of your daily calcium requirements.

Try it: Most of the rind's needles are removed by the time the fruit reaches your market. Peel and section, discard seeds and add to cereal.

Kumquat

Buy it: The kumquat is fully edible—in fact, the skin is the sweetest part. Plus, the grape-sized treats deliver 1 gram of satisfying fiber each.

Try it: Chop up a few, discard the seeds and add to cookie dough or bread batter. Or poach them whole and serve with meat or fish.

Carambola

Buy it: More commonly known as star fruit, carambola is tart and crunchy. And a large star fruit contains a waist-friendly 38 calories.

Try it: No need to peel it, so toss one into your tote instead of an apple. Cut crosswise to create a star-shaped garnish for drinks or desserts.

Anyone tried any of these or have more fruits to add? Or, tips on where to buy the best fruit?

Boot campers! Welcome to Week 2. Remember to keep good notes (in your logbook or elsewhere) on what you eat throughout the month. Studies have shown that people lose more weight and are more successful in their exercise programs when they keep a journal of calories and meals.