I really am not a fan of the term New Years Resolution. I just don’t think they stick, and I wasn’t planning on going on a diet either, but that was until I jumped on the scale after holiday eating and last night’s extra piece of birthday cake. YIKES, I have got to curb my sweet tooth. So maybe I’m going to get back into healthy eating this year and with a few steps it can be done with ease. How is it easy, well, for starters, don’t ever quit your favorite foods. Eat in moderation and eat what you like, your diet will be much more successful if you’re enjoying what you eat.

Now, Tyson Foods has teamed up with The Hungry Girl and together they are handing out tips on how to eat healthier. Lisa Lillien aka Hungry Girl battles the same food issues women struggle with every day so she understands how difficult it can be to stay on track. Hungry Girl has some realistic tips to help women achieve a balanced, guilt-free lifestyle, while still enjoying the foods they love. The following is a list of her suggestions with mine mixed in of course and Tyson® Grilled & Ready® products. The Tyson Grilled & Ready products are a great solution at mealtime.  Quite easy for me to get out of the freezer or fridge and make a quick meal. Oh and be sure to visit www.30days30ways30rewards.com for everything they’ll need to get on track in January to establish better habits all year-long.  One click a day reveals three ways to balance an active lifestyle: a nutritious and quick recipe (with fewer than 500 calories), a clever tip (including some from Lillien herself) and a chance to win a health-themed prize, each day for the next 30 days. 

The Tips:

I say, Make a Meal Plan

Hungry Girl says, Plan ahead, and be realistic. Before a grocery run, make a list, and think about what you really need for all your meals and snacks. Don’t buy ingredients for an entrée that takes three hours to make if you know you’re gonna come home starving and end up ordering a pizza.

I say Eat in Moderation.

Hungry Girl says, Find better-for-you swaps for the indulgent foods you crave. Love potato chips by the bagful? Look for baked or popped chips in single-serving bags. Are you a bagel ‘n cream cheese fiend? Go for thin bagels with light spreadable cheese. You can save hundreds of calories this way without giving up the tastes you crave.

I say have lots of fresh fruit and veggies around.

Hungry Girl says, Keep convenient meal staples on hand. This way, you can easily whip up guilt-free food, anytime.  Frozen Tyson® Grilled & Ready® chicken takes just minutes in the microwave, and the refrigerated Grilled & Ready chicken is great straight from the fridge. (So flavorful and juicy!) Wrap the strips in a high-fiber tortilla with veggies, or sprinkle the Fillets with shredded reduced-fat cheese — YUM! You can enjoy delicious no-guilt meals, even when your days are super-busy.

The rest of the tips are hers, be realistic and don’t get too hard on yourself, drink lots of water and consult a doctor before starting any kind of diet.

· Set mini goals for yourself. Don’t take on challenges that are impossible. Setting out to drop 20 pounds by February is not realistic and isn’t safe. And don’t expect to run a marathon if you’ve never jogged a mile. Make small changes, like drinking more water, filling your plate with lots of veggies, walking more often, and keeping track of what you eat. Soon these habits will become second nature, and you’ll experience results at a healthy rate.

· Let yourself indulge a little. It’s okay to splurge on foods that aren’t "diet-friendly" once in a while. (I can’t resist the pretzel bread at one of my favorite restaurants.) Just get right back on track. Don’t let a weekend splurge turn into an excuse to overdo it all week!

· Entertain at home vs. dining out. You can save calories by eating at home. Host a girls’ night where everyone brings a favorite diet-friendly dish as an alternative to over-indulging at a restaurant. (Pigging out can be contagious!) Tyson® Grilled & Ready® chicken is easy to prepare and so versatile – put your own spin on it, and even fool people into thinking you cooked it from scratch!

· Lighten up your favorite foods with "super-sizing" ingredients.  Toss steamed spaghetti squash with cooked spaghetti. Mix mashed cauliflower in with mashed potatoes. Alternate layers of grilled eggplant with pasta sheets in your lasagna. You might be surprised how fantastic the results of these taste! You’ll get hugely satisfying portions without a high calorie price tag.

All rules can be found under giveaway rules.