Real food is food that is as close to its natural state as possible. A fresh chicken you have to cook yourself is more real than chicken nuggets or chicken from a can.

The benefits of eating real food include minimizing the chemical additives that are linked to disease and obesity. These include artificial food coloring, preservatives, and artificial flavors. Real food also has less sugar, sodium, and added fat.

• Shopping the perimeter of your grocery store is a good way to start eating clean, real foods. That's where the fresh produce, natural meats, eggs, and dairy usually are.

• Drink only naturally low-cal beverages. Water is your best choice. Then stick with tea or coffee.

• Choose local, grass-fed meat. Buy from your local farmer's market or order from a butcher that is committed to meat that is free of hormones, antibiotics, and grain feed. Reducing your meat intake helps make this more affordable.

• Cook with old pressed oils. Ditch the bleached, processed canola or vegetable oil and go for real butter or olive oil.

• Make fruits and vegetables your go-to snacks. Keep a bowl of fresh fruit on the counter. Wash and chop veggies into sticks and pack them into baggies for easy grab-and-go.

• Quit fast food. Make extra portions of your main dinner entree to pack for lunch the next day. This easy habit will save you from eating processed meals at the local fast food joint.