So, it’s a few weeks into the new year and you’re already having trouble sticking to your resolution to shed some pounds.

Sure, you need all the willpower you can get. But you also need the right culinary tools: Think foods, appliances, cookbooks and the like that can assist and inspire you throughout your bulge-battling journey.

With that in mind, we surveyed the diet landscape to see what’s new or noteworthy in such tools. Our 10 choices may not be right for everyone, but they represent a starting point for those seeking a path to slimness.

FAST FOOD DIET DONE RIGHT: CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL

In recent years, it seems as if every fast-food purveyor is pushing the concept of eating right. First came Subway with its line of “Fresh Fit” subs (hey, it worked for Jared Fogle). Now, Taco Bell is offering its “Drive-Thru Diet” of low-fat menu items. But as much as we like such choices — especially anything from Subway — all that marketing makes us a tad suspicious. So perhaps it’s time to turn to a fast-food chain that’s always offered delicious, healthy options. Namely, Chipotle Mexican Grill (chipotle.com). By virtue of its customizable approach — you can fill your burrito any way you wish — and emphasis on fresh, often locally sourced and/or natural ingredients, it’s easy to get a terrific, tasty meal with no more than 600 calories.

If you go the Burrito Bowl route — no wrap, just the burrito fillings — you’ll save 290 calories alone. Want to have some fun designing the perfect low-cal Mexican meal? Go to ChipotleFan.com and play around with the nutrition calculator. Then go to Chipotle and enjoy.

LOW-CAL NOODLES? YES, THEY EXIST!

As any dieter will tell you, pasta equals extra pounds. But what if there was a noodle that had few (if any) calories? You’ll find such an option in Asian markets — and increasingly in gourmet markets, too. We’re talking shirataki noodles, a Japanese-style pasta that’s made from low-cal (or even no-cal) ingredients, such as the konjac plant or tofu. Granted, these noodles are not for everyone — the texture is slightly gelatinous and the smell is a little fishy (the latter problem can be resolved by rinsing the noodles).

As a result, the noodles work better in certain Asian-style dishes — particularly soups and stir-fries — than, say, Italian-style spaghetti and meatballs. But again, we’re talking low-cal noodles — 20 calories or less per serving! — so no complaining. Perhaps the most popular shirataki brand is House Foods (house-foods.com). They offer noodles in different varieties ($1.99 to $2.69 a pack), available at Whole Foods. Other brands can be found at local Asian markets.

BE KIND: STAVE OFF HUNGER

Face it: Even dieters need to snack now and then. In fact, a mid-afternoon bite can be the key to avoiding overindulging in the evening. Snack and energy bars can be better than candy, but it all depends on what goes into them. KIND bars stick to the good stuff — fruits and nuts for the most part. Varieties include macadamia and apricot, almond and coconut, cranberry and almond, and sesame/peanuts with chocolate. Most bars are about 200 calories. You’ll find them at Whole Foods, Starbucks and natural-foods stores; they can also be ordered by the case through KIND’s Web site (kindsnacks.com).

THE DOCTOR’S ORDERS: A CRUNCHY CRACKER

Speaking of snacks, what about chips and crackers? While baked potato chips are healthy enough, they just don’t have that crunchiness we seek. That’s why we call upon the doctor — Dr. Kracker, to be exact (drkracker.com). This brand of crackers, in varieties both savory (seeded spelt, pumpkin cheddar) and slightly sweet (apple crisps, cherry semolina), offers what it calls an “uber crunch.”

Loose translation: They’re way more satisfying than everyday baked (or fried) snacks — and they’re good for you, too (they’re made with organic grains, seeds and dried fruits). And you won’t need more than a couple of these flatbread-style crackers for a decent snack, which translates to 200-240 calories (depending on variety). You’ll find them in most supermarkets and gourmet stores.

COOKING THAT’S ‘SO EASY’: ELLIE KRIEGER’S NEW BOOK

Cover via Amazon

Call Ellie Krieger (elliekrieger.com) the Rachael Ray of healthy eating. She’s a cooking guru and Food Network personality who provides tips and recipes for keeping meals light and delicious at the same time. Krieger’s new book, So Easy: Luscious, Healthy Recipes for Every Meal of the Week (Wiley, $29.95) offers 150 recipes in that vein, from breakfast fare to desserts. (We can’t wait to prepare her Garlic-Basil Shrimp.) Available at most major bookstores or through Amazon.com and other online retailers.

GUILT-FREE FRYING? TRY THE ACTIFRY

Here are two words you’d never expect to find next to each other: “healthy” and “fryer.” And yet, the ActiFry from T-fal (tefal.com) positions itself as just that — a fryer that can fit into a dieter’s regimen. That’s because it prepares fried foods with a minimum of oil — about one tablespoon for a batch of fried potatoes. (You can also fry anything from bananas to onions using the machine.) There’s whole lot of technology behind the gizmo, from a special heating system to a stirring paddle. Online reviews suggest it really does work, but it’s not always the most durable of machines. If you want to find out for yourself, you can purchase the ActiFry ($299.99) at many department stores and specialty retailers — in person or online.

SIPPING YOUR WAY TO GOOD HEALTH: SODASTREAM

Water is perhaps the most essential item in a dieter’s toolbox. But how are you going to keep getting those recommended eight daily glasses without going crazy? One solution: Try adding some bubbles. The folks at SodaStream make it simple and affordable with their seltzer-making machines.

They’re remarkably easy to use — just add water! — and they save on trips to the supermarket to buy the bottled stuff. Plus, SodaStream’s soda makers, which range in price from $89.95 to $199.95 (refills of carbonators are extra), can be combined with SodaStream’s syrups (including diet ones) and new no-cal MyWater essences to make flavored drinks. Soda makers and some accessories are sold at various department and specialty stores, including Williams-Sonoma and Kohl’s; the full line of products is also available through SodaStream’s Web site (sodastream.com).

BLENDING YOUR WAY TO GOOD HEALTH: VITA-MIX

There are blenders galore on the market. And then there’s the Vita-Mix. This most powerful of blenders does it all — whole food juicing, cooking soups, making low-cal frozen treats. And, oh yes, it also blends (and makes a mean frozen margarita, but that’s another story). As such, it’s an ideal kitchen helper for the dieter — or just anyone who cares about what they put in their body. Plus, it’s remarkably strong and rugged (trust us, a Vita-Mix lasts forever). Granted, these machines don’t come cheap.
The most popular model, the 5200, runs $449 — and that’s for the basic version. But consider it a good long-term investment in your health. The blenders can be purchased through the Vita-Mix Web site (vitamix.com). But better pricing is often offered by independent Vita-Mix salespeople/product demonstrators. You’ll find one at this year’s South Florida Fair (through Jan. 31).

A SAFE, SUGAR-FREE ALTERNATIVE: TRUVIA

Artificial sweeteners get a bad rap — and often deservedly so (think saccharine). But a relatively-new-to-the-market no-cal sweetener is positioning itself as a safe, natural alternative, good to sprinkle on food items or to use in cooking. We’re talking Truvia (truvia.com), made from the stevia plant — the same sweetener that’s been favored by South American natives for hundreds of years. You can buy packaged Truvia — it’s in the green packet as opposed to pink (Sweet’N Low) or blue (Equal). But you can also find Truvia used in more and more products — for example, the line of 100-calorie YoCrunch yogurts. Available at many supermarkets.

A QUICK, DIET-FRIENDLY BREAKFAST: JIMMY DEAN D-LIGHTS

Here’s the deal: You know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. And you know that doesn’t mean loading up on an artery-clogging plate of eggs, bacon and buttermilk biscuits. But are you really ready to prepare your own egg-white omelet each morning? That’s where Jimmy Dean’s D-lights line (jimmydean.com/d-lights) comes in handy — by frozen-entrée standards, the offerings are healthy, filling and tasty, clocking in at under 300 calories apiece with up to 18 grams of protein. Two new additions include the Turkey Bacon Bowl and Turkey Sausage Bagel. True, the sodium and saturated fat counts can be high , but they’re still a healthier option than greasy-spoon fare. Available at most supermarkets.

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