Spice up your meats and vegetables by soaking them in a marinade before cooking. Marinating adds oodles of flavor without adding a lot of calories and fats. If you are diabetic or have food restrictions, marinating is an excellent way to liven up your meals. It only takes a bit of forethought and a little extra prep time. Most of the magic occurs while the foods soak up the marinade, which leaves you free to do other things until it's time to cook. For best results, bake, roast, stir-fry or grill your marinated foods. Follow a few basic rules to keep your foods fresh and safe while soaking in the marinade.