New Years resolutions are populated around doing something better for yourself and usually involve hitting the gym more or skipping that extra cookie. Now that we are a few months into the new year, it’s important that the vow to “eat healthy” is actually benefiting your body. But what does eating healthy really mean?

According to Health.com, the following are ten habits that will help you on your journey of eating healthier.

1. Don’t give anything up.

Just because you are going to eat better, you don’t need to give up all your favorite foods. Focus on eating smaller portions.

2.   Always have a plan.

If you know you’re going out to eat one day in the week, plan your other meals around it so that you stay balanced and don’t feel bad about eating the entire plate at your favorite restaurant.

  3. Forget calorie counting.

Eat foods that are healthy for you, instead of obsessing over the amount of calories in them. “Healthy, nutrient-rich foods will keep hunger at bay, help maintain stable blood sugar levels, minimize cravings, and help your brain signal your belly when you’re full,” said Frank Lipman, MD, integrative and functional medicine physician, founder of Eleven Eleven Wellness Center and author of The New Health Rules.

4. Don’t eat boring foods.

Vegetables are important for your daily intake of nutrients, but can get very boring. Find new ways to spice them up (literally!) and make cooking and eating fun.

5. Prep and store.

Prepare your foods as soon as you get home from the grocery store. This way, you will be more likely to grab the healthy foods instead of going straight for the easy bag of chips.

6. Eat a big lunch.

Your body is at it’s highest peak of digestion in the middle of the day. Loading up on healthy proteins and filling foods will help keep you from snacking throughout the day, or maxing out on dinner.

7. Don’t feel guilty about eating.

If you accept that you can fuel your body with delicious and healthy things, it is less likely that you will feel guilty about eating. Focus on celebrating your meals!

8. Eat colorful fruits and vegetables.

The recommended serving of fruits and vegetables is five servings per day, so make sure you have plenty of variety in your diet and try to eat foods of every color.

9. Keep snacks around.

Snacking when bored can be a killer on your daily calorie intake. Make sure to keep healthy snacks around during the day (protein-filled are the best) to beat out the cravings throughout the day.

10. Follow the 80/20 rule.

Nobody is perfect. If you eat healthy 80% of the time, save the other 20% for splurges on not-so-healthy foods. This way you can keep your sanity while watching what you’re eating at the same time.

Physical Education teacher and soccer coach, Marni Polakow works hard to make sure she is fueling her body correctly for her busy daily activities.

“I try to use willpower to avoid bad foods as much as I can, but I also understand that eating them once in awhile will not hurt me,” said Polakow. “A long as I exercise and eat right most days, I will let myself indulge in my favorite bad foods, such as french fries and donuts, occasionally.”

Healthy eating is a habit. Once you learn to love it, it becomes easy. Following these tips will help boost your energy and feel better overall.