Seven Keys to Healthy Eating

Unlock the secrets to healthy eating with these seven tips:

1. Eat a variety of foods. Your body needs more than 40 different nutrients to stay in top physical shape.
2. Balance food you eat with physical activity to maintain or improve your weight. Instead of slouching in the lounge chair after dinner, take a walk or jog around the neighborhood.
3. Eat lots of grains, vegetables, and fruits. Eating these types of foods will allow you to maintain a healthy balance of the essential vitamins and minerals your body needs to function effectively.
4. Choose a diet low in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol. This is especially important if you wish to lower your risk factors for high blood pressure and heart disease.
5. Choose a diet moderate in sugars. By curtailing the amount of sweets you eat, you'll be able to lessen your cravings for items like doughnuts.
6. Choose a diet moderate in salt and sodium. Be aware that some food products contain hidden sodium; read food labels carefully when grocery shopping.
7. If you drink alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation. A glass of wine at dinner is fine, but avoid drinking several alcoholic beverages within the same day.

Here's a tip to help you keep to your diet: Give your taste buds time to acclimate to your new dietary changes. It takes several weeks—and sometimes months—to adjust to eating less fat and sodium. Make changes slowly but surely.