As teens, we don’t count calories or opt for healthier meals when burgers and fries are available. You usually have a higher metabolism when you’re young, but that shouldn’t be an excuse. Today we have so many unhealthy foods at our fingertips that we forget that it is in fact unhealthy. Eating healthy isn’t just about losing weight; it’s about getting your body healthy. Instead of having to change bad habits when you get older, get in the groove and get your health kick now.

An easy way to eat healthy is to simply add good nutrient foods to your diet. For example, if you want to have a pizza, add a salad or a serving of broccoli. Try to add a few servings of fruits and vegetables to your daily meals because according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, they may reduce the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases. With this option you still get what you want to eat and also receive the beneficial nutrients.

Other than fruits and vegetables, protein is a must in any meal and the best option is one that is low in fat. Seafood, like salmon, is a great source of protein and can also be the entrée in your meal. Other proteins you can add into your meals include eggs, beans and Greek yogurt. The amount of daily protein intake is usually 5 to 7 ounces for adults. Protein is important because it’s one of the main elements your body uses to build muscles, and it can even help you lose weight by making you feel full as it tames your hunger.

The main key to eating healthy is recognizing what’s good and what’s bad. By researching the common foods that you eat on a regular basis, you can see what it does to your body over time, how it affects how you feel, and what manufacturers actually put in those foods.

If you want to rid yourself of all things unhealthy and become a health guru, you should raid your kitchen and terminate anything that is less than healthy. Look at the nutrition labels on your food and if something is high in sugar, trans fat or sodium, it should not be kept. The the next stop is to hit the grocery store to revive your kitchen with fruits, vegetables and good protein meats like salmon or chicken.

Ultimately to be healthy, you eventually have to cut out the foods that continue to damage your body. You can’t continue to eat greasy and fatty foods on a regular basis and expect your body to be in perfect shape. By cutting out these types of foods, you will notice a major difference in your body inside and out.