Think that healthy eating will take a bite out of your budget, is inconvenient, tastes blah or means you’ll have to give up all your favorite foods? Not true.
 
Don’t let your diet be sabotaged by excuses that will stop you from eating right, right now. During National Nutrition Month and beyond, use these simple tips to make eating right delicious, easy and budget-friendly.
 
Here are ten ways to start eating right:

1. Eat a plant-based diet: An easy way to make your diet have the right proportion of nutrients and calories is to cover at least half of your plate with fruits, vegetables and whole grains and the other half with a combination of lean protein or low-fat dairy products.
2. Eating a diet that has more plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains and beans can be much less expensive than one that is rich in animal meats and convenience snack foods.
3. Make calories count: Choose foods that offer more nutrients per calorie and limit those that are nothing more than added sugars, fat or a combination of both. The majority of your food choices should be packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber and other nutrients. Avocados contribute nearly 20 vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients and have 50 calories per 1-ounce serving.
4. Increase physical activity: Regular physical activity is important for overall health and fitness. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that adults be physically active for about an hour a day.
5. Make a meatless meal once a week: Beans can be a key ingredient in meatless meals. For example, a bean burrito topped with guacamole is a delicious meal your family will love. Beans are an excellent source of protein and can be an inexpensive way to create a healthy meal.
6. To sneak more fruit into your diet, add sliced avocados to your sandwich or salad. Avocados, due to their mono and polyunsaturated fat content, are a healthy substitution for foods rich in saturated fat.
7. Shop the perimeter: Choose foods from the outer aisles of your grocery store. That’s where you'll find the fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, eggs and dairy products. Minimize your purchases from the interior aisles that typically contain more processed and convenience foods.
8. Indulge responsibly: Instead of swearing off your favorite foods, set limits and enjoy in moderation. For example, allow yourself your favorite dessert only when you eat out or for special celebrations. As long as you set limits on trigger foods, you can enjoy them guilt-free.
9. Shop seasonally for produce: Fresh fruit and vegetables are usually much cheaper when they are in season. Farmers’ markets can offer a great value for seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables.
10. Find your inner chef. Home-cooked meals and snacks are almost always healthier than what you get at a restaurant or store. By creating your meal at home, you can control the ingredients, cooking style and amount of unhealthy fats in the dish. One great tip – to add flavor to foods, without added fats or sugar, use calorie-free herbs and spices.