New Year, New Diet

Check off list of steps:

Order half portions at restaurants, or share full portions with a friend.

Limit fried foods to once a week or less. Cut visits to fast food restaurants.

Replace ground beef with ground turkey.

Eat breakfast.

Add fruit or vegetables to every snack and meal.

Try at least one new food every month; don't get bored with the same old food choices.

Write down everything you eat for a month.

Learn to love whole-grain breads.

Avoid high-calorie beverages.

Consult a registered dietitian to design a personalized nutrition and weight plan. To find one near you, visit the American Dietetic Association.

Dip your fork in a side of salad dressing before each bite, instead of pouring it on your salad.

Read food labels to learn what and how much you're eating.

For heart health, avoid trans fat, which is found in many processed foods, fried fast foods, most commercial baked goods and margarines. (It is listed as hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oil on ingredients labels.)

Learn to recognize when you're satisfied, and stop eating.