Just about anyone you meet will tell you they worry about their diet. If this is the case, why do so many continually make poor choices? Poor eating habits can lead to obesity, heart and joint problems , arthritis, and general bad health. The best way to become a healthier eater is to do it gradually. Small changes are easier to make and stick to than a dramatic and sudden overhaul. If you try to change everything at once, you are likely to give in as soon as you experience your first craving.

Fruits and vegetables should be the centerpiece of your daily diet. Choose dark colored vegetables, such as leafy greens, for your salad. Select fruits that are high in essential vitamins, such as bananas or oranges. Begin by slowly increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables that you eat on a daily basis, and before you know it, you'll be eating the proper amount of fresh foods.

When it comes to your grain and bread products it is important to make healthy choices and steer away from the white bread and other refined flours. White bread will give you no amount of nutrition, unlike whole grain breads that are a great source of fiber and other vitamins and minerals. It will be easy to add a whole bran cereal to your morning routine and you'll soon find yourself enjoying the taste of whole grains.

Make healthy selections for protein -- fish and poultry and limit the amount of red meat in your diet. Plan to reduce your intake of fat in your diet, animal fats and other fats. Use healthy oils such as virgin olive oil and canola oil when cooking. Bake or poach your fish and poultry to help reduce the amount of fat in your diet. Eliminate or reduce your consumption of fried foods, such as donuts and potato chips. Try healthier choices such as popcorn (with a little or no butter) and rice cakes.

Do you crave sweets? Try eating dried fruit or low fat cookies or ice cream rather than cakes and cookies. You might also like low fat candy. It takes time to change your eating habits, but you'll succeed if you are patient and determined. The bonuses are that you will feel healthier, be more active, and realize that these healthy foods are actually more satisfying than you ever imagined.