Healthful eating isn't easy, but you stand a better chance if your kitchen lends a hand. See how yours stacks up.

What type of kitchen do you have? For each question, circle the letter that fits best:

1. How many kinds of fresh produce do you have in your kitchen, and where do you keep them?

a. They're everywhere you look. Plus, we joined an organic (and locally grown) buyer's co-op, and we shop at a green market when we can.

b. The occasional apple or banana going to waste in the fruit bowl and carrots, lettuce or peppers in the fridge drawer.

c. What do you mean by fresh produce? Do SunnyD and Kool-Aid count?

Fit tip: Fruits and vegetables are low in calories, carbs and fat, so you can eat a lot and not gain weight. Also, they're loaded with nutrients. Keep them out and visible.

2. A friend is stopping by — what are the healthiest snacks you have?

a. Almonds, pecans, pistachios, fruit salad, pears, apples, cut-up peppers and other veggies (with a healthy dip).

b. Baked chips, 100 percent whole-grain crackers (e.g., Dr. Krackers), salsa.

c. You want it, we've got it: Oreos, devil's-food cake, Ben & Jerry's, Doritos, apple pie ... whatever you need.

Fit tip: Keep healthful snacks around the house, and scrap the junk. We eat what's in front of us — and if it's not available, we will not eat the junk.

3. In terms of cooking utensils and equipment:

a. My kitchen is fully loaded. We have a food processor, pots and pans in all sizes, measuring cups, a measuring spoon set, salad spinner, gravy separator and even a George Foreman Grill.

b. We have a stove, spatula, toaster oven and microwave, but none of the extras — we only cook on weekends.

c. Does an oven mitt count? We have the basics, that's it.

Fit tip: Having the "right" equipment doesn't always mean you're going to eat healthfully; however, it can be a good motivator.

4. As far as the kitchen cupboards are concerned, you have:

a. Healthy soups and other low-calorie canned goods, as well as loads of herbs and spices; we even have an herb garden.

b. A few herbs and spices, canned chili.

c. Salt, pepper and a few cans of fruit cocktail in heavy syrup — what else do you need?

Fit tip: Keep a well-stocked spice cabinet and healthy condiments and canned goods. Try to have pepper, smoked paprika, curry powder, garlic powder, basil, ketchup, mustard, vinegar, garlic, onions, soups, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, soy sauce and honey on hand, as well as lemons and limes.

5. Your dairy products are:

a. Skim milk, low-fat cheese and yogurt without added sugar. The yogurt is organic.

b. Some 2 percent milk, provolone cheese and yogurt (with added sugar).

c. Regular milk, American cheese and various other cheeses. No yogurt.

Fit tip: Dairy is an important source of calcium but can be high in calories. Make sure to stick with low- or no-fat products.

6. Cookies, candies and sweets are:

a. Outlawed in our house.

b. Around, but stored where we rarely look.

c. In our cabinets because we need to have them around if "company" comes. Plus, we occasionally use them as a reward for the kids. They're a staple in our house.

Fit tip: Don't be a diet hero by keeping junk food around and believing you can use "will power" to prevent yourself from partaking.

7. The beverages in your house are:

a. Fresh water, skim milk, green tea and organic coffee.

b. Milk, orange juice, diet soda.

c. Soda, fruit "drinks" and chocolate milk.

Fit tip: Make sure to stay hydrated and full with drinks that provide some nutrition (e.g., green tea). Avoid obvious nutrition disasters like regular soda.

8. The cereals you have are:

a. 100 percent whole grain, such as oatmeal (100 percent natural rolled oats) or Shredded Wheat. The cereals have no sugar added, and nothing but grains as ingredients. Oh, and they're organic.

b. "Made with" 100 percent whole grain, but with lots of other ingredients, including loads of sugar.

c. Froot Loops, Cocoa Puffs and others.

Fit tip: Whole-grain foods are rich in dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals. And sugar, well, too much is just not healthy.

9. The breads in your kitchen are mostly:

a. 100 percent whole grain with no sugar added.

b. "Made with" 100 percent whole grain, plus loads of other ingredients, including white flour and sugar.

c. White breads, doughnuts, bagels and muffins (but the muffins have fruit in them — that's good, right?).

Fit tip: The low-carb world considers most bread to be a diet debacle, and in some instances it could be. Your best bet: If it's all-white, move on.

10. Your freezer has:

a. Low-calorie frozen dinners (e.g., Amy's, Lean Cuisine, Healthy Choice, etc.), sorbet, frozen vegetables (e.g., Steamfresh).

b. Two-year-old frozen veggies, orange and grape juice concentrate and ice cream.

c. Freezer-burned ice cubes. Oh wait, there's a frozen Boston cream pie and a Hungry Man dinner, too.

Fit tip: Keeping low-cal dinners and veggies in the freezer is a great way to make sure you always have healthy foods on hand.

How does your kitchen measure up?

MOSTLY A'S: SMOOTH SAILING

Congrats! Your kitchen has got you covered with healthy options.

MOSTLY B'S: DICEY TERRITORY

Your home isn't totally sabotaging your healthful eating habits, but it's not making them easy. Follow the Fit Tips and look at the "A's" for cues.

MOSTLY C'S: BERMUDA TRIANGLE

There's no denying it — your kitchen is a danger zone.

Charles Stuart Platkin is a nutrition and public-health advocate, and author of "Breaking the FAT Pattern" (Plume, 2006). Sign up for the free Diet Detective newsletter at www.dietdetective.com.