Eating healthier is a lot easier than many people think. Read over some of the following ideas and see which ones you can try today.

1. Eat Your Colors
Challenge yourself to get as many colors of the rainbow on your plate at mealtimes as you can
(blue Gatorade doesn’t count!).

2. Become An Astute Label Reader
Take note that most of the processed foods you see at the grocery store list partially hydrogenated oils and high fructose corn syrup on their ingredient panels. Partially hydrogenated oils WILL cause weight gain and are linked to diabetes, heart disease, arthritis and cancer! High fructose corn syrup is an artificial product manufactured in chemical plants from genetically modified corn. It has been associated with accelerated aging, obesity and heart disease. If you see either of these items on an ingredient label, place the product back on the shelf.

3. Mix in the Veggies
Adding pureed vegetables to your regular dishes is a terrific way to boost the nutritional impact of your favorite foods. Steam your veggies and put them in a food processor or blender and you’re ready to go. Add whatever types you like to soups, pasta sauce, meatloaf, meatballs, even pizza sauce. Get creative, and once the kids realize how they can get those veggies in their bellies and not even taste them, they might even help with the pureeing!

4. Freeze Bite Size Pieces of Fruit
Stash washed grapes and blueberries in the freezer. They’re terrific candy-like snacks, packed with healthy phytonutrients.

5. Flex Your Flax
Flaxseed is known for its many health benefits, including lowering blood cholesterol, reducing the risk of heart disease, and maybe even preventing cancer. Sprinkle ground flaxseed on your cereal or yogurt in the morning or add some to your favorite pancake, muffin or bread recipe.

6. Get Your Flax Another Way!
You can also find flax oil which carries the same benefits as the seeds. Add the oil to ketchup or salad dressing, or even milk shakes!

7. Resist the Temptation To Label Foods As “Good” Or “Bad”
If you love a food that is high in sugar or fat, simply eat it in moderation in combination with other more healthy elements in your diet. French fries are neither good nor bad; they’re just french fries. When you deny yourself something you enjoy out of guilt, you’re just setting the stage for a binge later on. It’s all about balance.

8. Exercise Portion Control
Typical restaurant portions are excessive. When ordering a meal, try splitting it with a friend (simply ask for two plates). Or ask your server to place half of the meal in a ‘doggie-bag’ before it is served and you can enjoy the rest later.

9. Ask For Condiments “On the Side”
Speaking of restaurants, ask that salad dressing, sauces, butter, sour cream, etc. be served on the side. Add only small amounts in order to enhance the flavor of your dish. The same goes for condiments like ketchup, mustard, relish and pickles if you’re trying to watch your sodium.

10. Eat Breakfast!
So many people skip breakfast with the misguided belief that it will help them control their weight, but your body needs fuel every few hours, especially first thing in the morning. Skipping meals simply puts your body into starvation mode; slowing down th e metabolism and making your body expend fewer calories. The real issue here though is about listening to your body. Hunger and satiety signals are there for a reason. Fuel your metabolism every morning with healthy choices that include whole grain carbohydrates and protein.