Basic Rules of Thumb: Things to pay Attention

Eating healthy doesn't have to be complicated. Following some simple guidelines can help ensure that you are healthy and look and feel your best for life.

Do:

1. Drink lots of water.

You should try to have 8 glasses of water a day. It helps keep your body in good shape and helps you stay full.

2. Eat Tons of Vegetables.

Eating vegetables is an easy way to be fuller, longer and to make sure that you are getting plenty of fiber.

And as a bonus, the calories for what you would eat add up to very few compared to other foods.

3. Fill with Fiber.

Ensure you are getting enough fiber at each meal. This will help you stay fuller longer, keep your digestive tract in good shape and keep your heart healthy.

4. Obsess about Olive Oil.

When a recipe calls for oil, use olive oil as much as possible and use it sparingly.

The next best oils are vegetable oils.

5. Pay Attention to Portions.

Believe it or not, this can be the biggest area of pitfall for people. They eat all the right things, but tend to eat too much without even realizing.

6. Keep your Carbohydrates in Check.

When eating carbohydrates, limit simple carbohydrates (fruits and non-fat and low-fat milk products) to the morning and mid-day.

7. Mix Starchy and Fibrous Complex Carbs.

Try to eat both complex fibrous (vegetables) and complex starchy carbohydrates (grains, cereals and legumes) together.

This helps to slow the digestion of starchy vegetables.

8. Eat well and Eat Often.

Breakup your caloric needs throughout the day by eating smaller meals every 2 to 3 hours to add up to a total of 5 to 6 meals a day. This will keep your metabolism revved throughout the day.