Every article I write about eating healthy, I can't seem to not think about how the "economics" of eating healthy are a real part of the problem.

The fact is organic, whole, raw, and healthy costs more money. So strange to me that the real stuff costs more then the fake. I hear from plenty of people that with all that they having going on, just trying to make ends meet, eating organic is not only not realistic, it's simply not possible. The million-dollar question: how can you eat healthier without really spending more?

1. Only drink water. I'm not going to say that our countries tap water is the Swiss Alps, but I can tell you if I was a gambler, I would rather bet on that than any soda (diet or regular) or juice you could stick in your body. Lots of fattening, refined white sugar.

2. If you are going to eat a fast food anything ditch the mayo, ketchup, cheese, and bread. Order a salad but watch the dressing because it is loaded with crap. What? I know it seems silly but let's say you go for a burger patty, then just get the meat and veggies. Hey, I said not more expensive not yummalicious.

3. Keep snacking to a minimum. All the chips, bars, muffins, cookies, donuts...do yourself a favor and don't do it. If you need something to ease the hunger, grab a piece of fruit and throw on some peanut butter or a handful of nuts. Don't forget to eat enough "good fat" or you will still feel starving.

4. No fried stuff. It blows me away how many people eat fried food as a regular part of their diet. It is not a once-in-a-while occasion, it is a way of eating. Go for roasted, baked, broiled, BBQ, etc. Just avoid food that has been submerged in oil in order for it to be cooked. Fine, it's Thanksgiving and you want to have a fried turkey, it's a holiday.

5. Eating more is not cheaper. Watch your portions. Even though we are living on the super-size planet, there is absolutely no reason we need that much food at one sitting. Take half of your food to go before you start eating. Just cut it in half and forget about it.

Let's face it, if I have food on my plate, it's going down. Try and be shocked by the amount of food we get served, don't just go along for the program and then wake up 25 lbs overweight. We all have to wake up about the way we are being led down the wrong path with food and nutrition. This system that is in place is not normal. Our bodies were not meant to be eating this crap, and it is showing.

6. Keep it real. Try to only let food pass your lips that is real. If it has ingredients on the box with preservatives that you can't pronounce, don't eat it. The only thing that does start getting tricky is when it does start feeling like there isn't a lot of stuff we can eat. It can be frustrating and confusing, but this fight for health and feeling good is a fight worth not giving up on. Don't stop trying.

7. I understand needing and wanting to take the edge off, but be careful of too much alcohol consumption, especially spirits and beer. All the guys out there are like, "Are you a crazy broad?" A lot of yeast is in beer. Not great. Better to do a little red wine (even if it's the cheap stuff).

8. Treat yourself as important and special as you are. Listen, it doesn't matter how old you are or how much you earn. You are important. We treat ourselves worse than we do our cars or our homes. Make sure that the food you are putting in your body is going to be good for your special self. Don't just throw any old garbage in your stomach. It's funny, you wouldn't put garbage in your house or the wrong fuel in your car, but you will put it in your own stomach.

Bon appetite