Here at The Sage: Nutritious Solutions, we understand that with a new year, people may want to start a healthy eating plan. Although any time of the year is a great time to start treating yourself right, we encourage any attempt to building a better lifestyle and a healthier YOU!

The process may seem daunting, difficult, and sometimes restrictive. However, it doesn't have to be any of these things! So, here are 14 great tips we came up with for 2014 to help you along the way!

1. Eat Breakfast: It's considered the most important meal of the day for a reason! After all night not eating or drinking, your body needs water and fuel to start the day. Grab fruit, nuts, whole grain bread with peanut butter, or eggs to start your day right!

2. Make Half your Plate Fruits and Vegetables! Simple. as. that.

3. Watch Portion Sizes: Do you need that second helping?

4. Be Active! Try running indoors (while it's still cold), swimming, yoga, bike riding, or even your favorite Wii Fit game to get moving.

5. Select Healthy Snacks: There is nothing wrong with eating throughout the day to keep hunger down and your metabolism going. Choose a few whole grain crackers with cheese, a handful of nuts, a piece of fruit, a small green salad, or yogurt.

6. Check Food Labels: Especially keep an eye out for sodium content, calories, carbohydrates, and fat; watch for hidden fat & calories in “low fat/calorie free” foods, too.

7. Be Food Safe: The CDC estimates 1 in 6 Americans gets a foodborne illness, which can even come from home. Store raw fruits and veggies away from uncooked meat, wash your hands often, and use a thermometer to cook food properly.

8. Get Cooking! This reduces the amount of times you dine out or satisfy a quick craving with high fat/high carb junk foods.

9. Don't Be Afraid to Dine Out: With #8 said, you can still dine out and eat healthy! Look for grilled meats and vegetables, dishes with lean meats and fish, and always include vegetables.

10. Family Meal Time: See http://the-sage.org/post/68752360919/family-meals-healthier-weight

11. Banish Brown Bag Boredom: Pack your lunch with fun healthy foods such as carrot or celery sticks with guacamole, fruit & yogurt, and low fat cheese sticks!

12. Drink more water: See #1; water helps keep satiety low and your body running efficiently! Strive for at least 8 cups daily.

13. Avoid Restriction: If you restrict the foods you love that may not be the BEST for you, you will want them more. Instead, limit these foods to a total of 1400 calories per week (200 calories per day) and with a healthy diet + physical activity regimen, you are on your way to healthy living!

14. The Slice Plan: An Integrative Approach to a Healthy Lifestyle and a Better You contains useful information on eating right and living healthfully throughout the year without restricting the foods you love! www.the-sage.org/thesliceplan

Happy Eating!