Tips for eating more healthfully

It's a new year and a good time to start living a more healthful lifestyle.

With an abundance of fresh fruits, vegetables and nuts, getting on the right track should be a little easier.

Also helping people make better food choices is a new book by celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis. "Giada's Feel Good Food: My Healthy Recipes and Secrets" is loaded with more than 100 recipes for breakfasts, juices, lunches, snacks, dinners and desserts.

Why change your eating habits? The reasons are many, including lowering your blood pressure, reducing your risk of heart disease and getting your blood sugar levels under control. Admittedly, it isn't always easy to change.

But with 10 helpful tips and some recipes, you can begin the new year in a healthful way.

1. Don't skip breakfast, said Kim Tirapelle, a registered dietitian at Kaiser Perma­nente in Clovis, Calif. Eating a breakfast with protein and fiber will help stabilize your blood sugar and curb your late-morning cravings. Foods such as Greek yogurt are a great source of protein, as are eggs or egg whites. Whole wheat toast, oatmeal and fresh fruit are also good sources of fiber.

2. Increase your intake of fruits and vegetables at every meal. The more colors of food on your plate the better. Also, if you can't get your children to eat vegetables, sneak them in food by puréeing veggies and adding them to sauces or soups. And if you can't find fresh fruits or vegetables, frozen produce is a good option.

4. Increase your intake of fiber and whole grains. Chef Naomi Hendrix adds a tablespoon of chia seeds to her morning oatmeal or cereal. The nutrient-rich seeds are high in protein and antioxidants. She says the tiny seeds will make you feel full, reducing the tendency to overeat. Other fiber-rich grains to try include quinoa, amaranth and freekeh (which is young green wheat that is toasted and cracked).

5. Eat more foods with omega-3, a beneficial fatty acid. Foods with omega-3 help improve your heart and brain function. Foods high in omega-3 include salmon, mackerel, tuna, flaxseed, spinach and walnuts. At least three servings a week are recommended, although pregnant women should consult their doctors about eating fish because of the concern over high levels of mercury.

6. Increase your fluids. "Oftentimes when we feel tired and worn down, it is because we are dehydrated," Tirapelle said. She said we should be drinking 64 to 80 ounces of water a day. And limit sports drinks, flavored coffees and teas.

7. Plant your own garden. Growing your own food helps increase your intake of fresh fruits and vegetables and gets children more interested in what they are eating.

8. Try healthy snacks. Limit salty and fried snack foods such as potato chips. This time of year, stock up on winter fruits for snacks and at mealtime. "Put a bowl of four to five peeled mandarins and two to three sliced pears at the dinner table for one more side dish," said Dorie Lim, a registered dietitian. "Trust me, they'll disappear." Dried fruits and nuts also are a good source of healthy snacks. Raisins, figs, prunes, almonds, pistachios and walnuts all are good options.

10. Use smaller plates to help with portion control. Also, tall, slender glasses help reduce the amount of soda or juice you drink. When you eat from smaller plates, you feel satisfied without overeating.