When the clock struck midnight to herald the arrival of 2008, thousands of people all over the world made the decision to lose weight and eat healthier in the new year. Unfortunately, many of those people will stray from their resolutions almost as quickly as they made them. With temptations abounding and eating unhealthy often seen as the easier choice, the odds just aren’t in their favor. They can, however, be in yours.

If you want to stick to that resolution and lose weight this year, there are some excellent choices you can make in regards to diet. If these choices happen to be combined with exercise and an overall healthier lifestyle, you’ll be all the better for it.

There are some fantastic food choices that taste great and do fit in with a healthier, smarter diet. Some of the best ideas in each food group include:

Grains – Try to select whole grains and non-processed flour whenever possible. Things like whole wheat bread and long grain rice tend to be more flavorful than their processed counterparts anyway and they typically are much better for you. Plus, in many cases, they come with fewer calories attached. Reserve the slice of white flour cake only for special occasions and your body will thank you for it.

Fruits and vegetables – It can be difficult to go wrong with almost anything in this particular group. Just try to avoid frying vegetables and focus a little more on raw or steamed to keep mineral and vitamin content high. Fruits can serve as excellent substitutes to handle a hankering for sweets, too.

Meats and legumes – Select lean, skinless meats and try to add some more fish and shellfish into your diet. Certain legumes are also incredibly flavorful and do meet the muster in regard to protein requirements. When eating meats, leave the greasy cheeseburger for a once in a while treat, and opt for baked, boiled, broiled or broth sautéed instead.

Dairy – Beyond low-fat milk, choose other low-fat, low-cholesterol dairy products. Cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese and other items can stay in a healthy diet. So, too, can ice cream as an occasional treat.

Fats – These actually are an important part of a healthy diet, but not in the way most people take them in. When adding fat or using it in cooking, select oils that are low or have no cholesterol and are healthier in composition. Olive, peanut, canola and other similar oils are excellent choices when oil must be used. Heart smart margarine is also a better choice than fatty butter.

Eating healthy in the New Year is not as difficult as many people realize. Choose foods wisely and pay attention to preparations. If you do this, you’ll stick to that resolution and enjoy it, too.