Have you slipped into sloppy, not-so-healthy eating habits? No matter why this has happened or for how long it has been going on, it is never too late to alter your habits to reflect a healthier way of living. In so doing you will allow yourself to look better, feel better and have more energy to do the things you need (and want) to do. Read on …

Start your day with a healthy breakfast.

Studies have proven that people who eat breakfast are less likely to overeat later in the day and are less inclined to pack on the pounds. Children who eat breakfast have the tendency to perform better in school, and adults, better at work.

Hydrate your body.

Drink lots of water throughout the day, the more the better. A good amount to aim for is at least four to six 8-ounce glasses per day. In fact drinking a glass of water when you first get out of bed in the morning is an excellent way to get a jumpstart on your day.

Variety is the spice of life.

Get into a habit of eating a variety of different foods with your meals, just make sure that at least five servings are fruits and vegetables. This is not always easy to do but it is possible. And remember, your body is not picky about the kinds of fruits and veggies you eat -- it will gladly accept the nutrients and vitamins from whichever ones you choose to feed it!

Keep active.

Incorporate exercise into your daily routine. What kind you do is not important, just get moving! Walk, swim, bike, play a sport, take an aerobics class, whatever it is that suits you, do it and find enjoyment in getting, and staying, fit. Your body will thank you for it.

Think lean meats and grains.

Eat plenty of lean, high protein foods in your daily diet such as lean meat, fish, chicken and beans. Stay away from salted and processed meats. Also eat grains, whether they be in the form of wholegrain cereal, breads etc. Grains provide the body with fiber, iron and B vitamins and are therefore a necessity.

Mmm mmm milk.

Milk is more than just delicious, it is very good for you. Just remember to choose low fat (one percent) or fat free (skim) milk. A cup of skim milk contains only eighty calories but also contains a good dosage of protein and calcium.

Don’t limit your food choices.

Some foods, such as potatoes and cheese often get a bad rap as being extremely fattening. Perhaps it is a reputation they do not deserve because “everything in moderation” is a good rule of thumb to live by. Don’t get into a habit of eliminating any one entire food group from your diet, as this is not a healthy route to take. You are likely to miss out on important nutrients the body needs such as calcium and magnesium when you choose to limit yourself.

Beware of excessive intakes of caffeine.

Caffeine can be found in coffee, soft drinks and chocolate. Too much of any one of these things can cause dehydration. Soft drinks also contain a great deal of sugar. An average can of soda pop has 150 calories of sugar and does not contain any nutrients whatsoever.

Dieting can be dangerous.

There are healthy ways to drop pounds and they don’t include taking diet pills. Diet pills work to suppress the appetite but can usher in a host of health problems. Avoid them at all costs. Fad or crash diets are not wise either, and studies have proven, not terribly effective. They may provide quick results but once you resume your regular eating patterns, you will gain the weight back.

Adopting the vegetarian or vegan lifestyle.

If you make the decision to embrace the vegetarian or vegan lifestyle speak to your doctor or health care professional first to learn about the specific dietary needs of this way of life. Vegetarians, and vegans even more so, need to supplement their diets with vitamins to replace what they no longer receive from specific kinds of foods.

Take vitamins on a regular basis.

Vitamins are no longer just for those who don’t eat properly. Everyone, no matter what their regular diet, can benefit from taking vitamins to supplement their daily intake of food. Consider a multivitamin that will provide you with everything you need from A to Z. Many, such as Centrum often contain essential minerals as well.