There are endless perks to eating well, but what no is telling you is that it doesn’t have to mean $300 trips to the health food store or hours upon hours of meal preparation.

I’ll give you one bit of advice: keep it simple. We know what types of foods we should be eating more of and those we may need to watch.

Generally, you shouldn’t need a diet plan or another run through of the Canada Food Guide because chances are you could recite good eating like it’s the national anthem by now.

First, apply what you know: buy fresh produce, whole grains and hormone and preservative-free meat and dairy products.

Next, get used to concoctions. You can make a salad in two minutes, and create something entirely different every time. Try adding different nuts, seeds, fresh fruit and vegetables and dried fruits. Moderate, but include your favorite dressing, cheese, bacon, chicken, beef or bean toppings.

You’ll get the benefit of a wide range of tastes, nutrition and food groups, plus limiting the cooking process will help maintain the foods nutritional value.

Trail mix, vegetables and hummus or fruit and yogurt make excellent snacks and again, require little preparation or cooking.

Lastly, try to have balance. You do not have to be healthy all the time in order to maintain it. Too much restriction can cause unnecessary stress, which as you already know, can push you towards a rebellious, junk food retaliation binge.

When you simplify healthy eating, it will begin to feel more natural.