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With fast food on every corner, convenience stores popping up everywhere, and fewer and fewer fresh food stands, it is no wonder there is much need in America to improve diet and nutrition. However, it is becoming more and more difficult. Do not be discouraged if you see the road of needed change in front of you because you can take small steps to improve your diet. While going from a fast-food, junk-food, high-calorie diet to a healthy diet isn't easy, it is possible and worth it.

Here are some easy ways to take the first steps to improve diet.

Start your morning out right, and stick with it throughout the day. Instead of going for the sugared cereal, eat a whole grain cereal. Instead of a Pop Tart, grab some whole wheat toast. Neither of these things takes more time than the other, and each is a much healthier option.

It is easy to eat right when the right foods are in front of you, so once a week take the time to whip up a batch of bran muffins, cut up some fresh vegetables or fruit, and have them on hand and ready when you are on a hurry or want a fast snack. If you have some healthy options on hand you won't be tempted to eat the unhealthy options like the cream cheese loaded bagels or pastries.

Also, if you work in an office and find yourself going out for lunch every day, an easy alternative would be to make extras of your dinner, and try taking that as your lunch two days per week rather than going to fast-food restaurants. This will not only improve your diet, but it will save you money too.

Choose the healthier options. For example, when making a sandwich, use whole grain breads, lean meats and lots of tomatoes, onions, lettuce, avocado or other sandwich vegetables. Then, lay off or go light on the mayonnaise.

If you happen to be away from home and need a snack and have nothing with you, then when you are standing in front of the vending machine, choose a package of mixed nuts instead of a candy bar.

If convenience is an issue, then simply buy prewashed and prepackaged salad ingredients so that you can make salads quickly and easily. Salads are an easy way to add vegetables to your diet and they take up space in your stomach so that you can feel satisfied with a smaller entree.

Drink more water. Carry a water bottle or at least replace one cup of coffee or bottle of soda with water. Also add other healthy beverages to your life. Drink a Zija, which is packed full or vitamins and nutrients, instead of a soda when you need a convenient and refreshing drink. It will give you natural energy and endurance rather than a sugar high that when it wears off leaves you feeling sluggish and tired.

Don't go grocery shopping when you are hungry. An empty stomach makes all the junk food more tempting.

Get more of the essential amino acids and essential fatty acids. Eat fish or buy some flax seed oil to drizzle on sandwiches, vegetables or salads. Or eat plenty of leafy greens, or drink a can of Zija daily.

If you must eat at a fast food restaurant, choose a small salad instead of french fries, or at least ask for your fries without salt. Dab the excess grease and oil off of fries, pizza, and other foods.

If you have to have your snacks like potato chips or corn chips, then try the baked variety. They are better than fried chips.

Basically there are some very simple ways to improve diet without making your life any harder. By approaching diet improvement this way you are more likely to succeed than if you just try to jump in and eliminate the unhealthy foods you eat all together and right away. Cold turkey works for some, but for most the step by step approach is best.