As teenagers in a society that idolizes junk food, we tend to eat a lot less healthier than we should.

There are always healthier options to choose that actually make you feel a lot better after eating them. If you’re looking for a snack to eat while watching a tv show, instead of choosing potato chips, get some grapes.

Here are more ways to change your diet.

–Cut back on sugary drinks like soft drinks and energy drinks. Sugar-free versions are okay to drink sometimes, but sugar-free frizzy drinks are still acidic, which can have a negative effect on bone and dental health. Water is the healthiest drink – try adding a slice of lemon, lime or orange for flavor.

-Keep a fruit bowl stocked at home for fast and low-calorie snacks.

-Eat breakfast every day so you’re less likely to snack on junk food throughout the day. A wholemeal or wholegrain breakfast cereal that is low in sugar served with low-fat milk can provide plenty of vitamins, mineral and fiber. Other fast and healthy options include yogurt or wholemeal toast.

-Don’t skip lunch or dinner. Research has proven that smaller meals throughout the day are the best options to healthy eating.

-Help with the cooking and think up new ways to create healthy meals. Make those old family recipes lower in fat by changing the cooking method – for example, grill, stir-fry, bake, boil or microwave, instead of deep frying.

-Reduce the size of your meals. Samller portions throughout the day are better than less frequent larger meals.

-Don’t add salt to your food.

-Don’t eat high-fat foods every time you visit a fast food outlet with your friends. Many of the popular fast food chains now have healthier food choices on the menu. Look for them,

-Change your meeting place. Rather than meeting up with your friends at the local takeaway shop, suggest a food outlet that serves healthier foods, such as wholemeal rolls with vegetable fillings or sushi.

Changing your diet is harder than it sounds. You’re pumped about it for a couple days and then you go back to what you used to eat. Here are a few tips on how to keep going on eating healthier foods.

-Compare the prices of junk foods against the price of healthier food options to see that ‘healthy’ doesn’t have to mean ‘expensive’.

-Experiment with different foods and recipes. You’ll soon discover that a meal cooked with fresh ingredients always beats a limp burger or soggy chips.

-Try different ‘fast’ options like whole-wheat breakfast cereal, muesli, wholemeal bread, wholegrain muffins, fruit, yoghurt or pasta.

-Don’t think that your diet has to be ‘all or nothing’. Eating well doesn’t mean you must be a health food freak. A good diet allows for treats occasionally.

As a teenager in America remember to watch what you eat but don’t forget about being yourself. You don’t have to change who you are as a person to become healthier.

For more information about eating healthy, go to http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/Bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Eating_tips_for_teenagers?open