Healthy eating is a conscious decision. It does not mean that you should be thin like a model or you eat by the nutrition books. The whole concept of healthy eating means that you feel great about your body, mind and mood. It constitutes to giving wholesome nutrition to your body so that you feel energetic throughout the day.

The main idea behind maintaining a good dietary lifestyle is that healthy eating does not begin in the kitchen but starts when you write down your healthy grocery list. As soon as you reach the supermarket you may feel challenged when the cookies, chips, chocolates and all the different varieties of junk food beckon you. But you need to fortify yourself and not get tempted. Instead you must pick up fresh fruits and vegetables. Arm yourself with your healthy grocery list, pick up and rush out of the supermarket.

Plan your meals one week in advance and then go for grocery shopping. This saves time, money and the urge to pick up unhealthy options. The best of foods are always fresh. Buy fresh fruits instead of processed or ready made foods. Inculcate the habit of reading the labels before picking up any food product. Learn to understand what is actually meant by the writing on the label. Include foods that have high vitamin and mineral content and also which are low on sodium, fat and cholesterol in your healthy grocery list. Do not blindly believe that a label which certifies a product as "healthy" is actually true.

To exclude unhealthy dietary preferences, make a balanced meal based on color, freshness and texture of food. Food also must have a variety to make a good impression on your taste buds. Eating proper foods in addition to making a balanced and healthy grocery list is a time consuming endeavor which needs to be practiced each and every time you want to shop so that it becomes a way of life.

To switch from cooking oil to olive oil or to include a salad in your daily food habit are small steps to ensure success in ushering in a good lifestyle. It is very essential that you don't feel guilty when you fall to temptations such as ice cream once in a while. Just make better choices next time. While changing to a healthy dietary option always include water and exercise. Water flushes out waste and toxins from your body. People mistake thirst for hunger in many cases. Dehydration causes headaches, tiredness and lethargy. Exercising is another requirement for healthy living. Do any exercise that causes you to relax and feel active.

Eating healthy is for life, it's not short term. Thus you must learn to eat moderately which means that your intake should be balanced so that your body is not deprived of carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, fat, minerals and fiber. Consume less of refined sugar, saturated fats and more of fresh fruits and vegetables. Your healthy grocery list should reflect all of this. This does not mean that you forgo all your cravings and ban foods that you love. Just start by cutting down the intake of food items that are not good for your body. The use of small plates makes one consume less. Addition of leafy vegetables and fresh fruits in meals help to regulate the calories.

Remember to take one day at a time and not to get overwhelmed by the challenge. The foundation for success in healthy living lies in making a healthy grocery list.