Healthy and unhealthy foods

BUILDING A HEALTHY DIET

Most diets fail because they're too restrictive to stick to long-term. The best way to build a nutritious diet is to create a balanced diet that allows you to have fun and enjoy all food in moderation. 
It might seem strange, but calorie counting is counterproductive to weight loss because it focuses too strongly on quantity over quality. You'll be more successful by making better quality (aka healthier) food choices more often. 

THE 80/20 SPLIT

An easy and popular method of eating healthy is an 80/20 split between healthy and unhealthy food. 80% of the day should be filled with healthy food choices, and 20% can be whatever you'd like. By keeping your diet balanced, you will be able to have the treats you'd like without overindulging.
Keep in mind that the 80/20 split only applies to each day. If you slipped up and ate more than 20% unhealthy food, you shouldn't try to "make up" for it the next day. 
Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start again tomorrow following the 80/20 split. This is about being a better version of yourself, not striving for perfection.

COST OF EATING HEALTHY

The unfortunate reality in America is that healthy foods tend to cost more, making a healthy diet out of reach for many people. There are ways to save money and make it a little more accessible, but it requires some planning. And with a little planning, healthy eating doesn't need to break the bank.
How to: Eat Healthy Cheaply

1. 
   Plan your meals. Pick out the meals you want to make for the week ahead of time. Check your local grocery flyers, and center them around whatever is on sale. Then, make a list, head to the store, and get everything you need for the week.
   
2. 
   Buy on sale and freeze. Take advantage of the best sales if the food is freezable, like meat. Buy in bulk, separate into smaller packages, and freeze for a later meal.
   
3. 
   Make restaurants a treat. Cook at home as often as you can; restaurant meals are usually 3-4x the price of their ingredients. If you normally get drive-thru coffee each morning, buy a travel mug and start bringing it with you instead. This is a way to eat healthier and actually save money.
   
4. 
   Eat more plant-based meals. Tofu, beans, and other vegan proteins tend to be far less expensive than meat, and they're a fun way to experiment with different foods you may not have tried. This sweet and spicy tofu salad is one of our favorites.
   
5. 
   Buy generic brands. Most of the time, the less expensive store brands are very comparable to name brand products.