The first things to know about a healthy eating diet are the basic elements that should be included each day: protein, carbohydrates, fat, and fiber. Along with these elements often come vitamins and minerals. If you are eating correctly you should get all the salt, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, copper, zinc chromium or selenium you'll need. If you're not, you can add supplements to your in a variety of ways.

To know how much of each of these elements, and especially vitamins and minerals, that you need each day depends heavily on your individual preferences, height and weight. But the bottom line is that the healthiest eaters use a variety of vitamins and minerals, limit their intake of processed foods and white sugar, and see many fruits and vegetables on their plates each week. This kind of intake on a regular basis offers the body the nutrients it so desperately needs to keep it running in tip-top shape.

I am a 245-pound male, 6 foot 2.5 inches and a very active person.I probably eat six or seven meals a day.I don't like special diets. I don't believe in the all-fruit diet or the all-vegetable diet. Instead, I think a balanced selection will give the body all it needs.

- Six or seven meals a day.This may sound like a lot, but smaller meals eaten more often are actually quite good for you. They keep you from overdoing it at fewer meals. - Keep away from diets that are "all" anything - all fruit, all veggie, all liquid. Instead, work towards a balanced diet to give your body all the necessary nutrients. You may lose weight initially with those "all" diets, but you won't be healthier.

And here are some of the things I often include in my healthy diet each day: - Two scoops of High Protein Whey Rapid Absorption by Proto Whey and sixteen ounces of water. - Whole grain raw almond sandwiches with bananas. - Green tea. - Omelets made with six egg whites and one egg yoke and full of vegetables. - Whole grain chapatti. - An all-veggie drink of dark green veggies, organic apples, whey protein and beets. - Nordic Naturals Pro-Omega (1000 mg). - Fruit capsules. - Half a banana with two scoops of whey protein. - Salads. - Proteins of my choice. For example, egg whites make me feel great! - At least eight glasses of water. - Glucosamine supplements - ZMA supplements - Vegetable capsules.

When I include these things in my daily diet, I can tell the difference. I sleep great and I wake up fresh and ready to get going each day. Another thing that helps me feel this way is exercise. I try to get in about 30 minutes of physical activity every day. It can be cardio, like aerobics or running, or something lighter like yoga or long walks. Stretching can be very beneficial too, and is usually necessary before more intense workouts. Keeping my body in good shape by way of a healthy diet and exercise keeps me out of the doctor's office, helps me feel good and enables me to do so much more. Too many people let their bodies deteriorate as they get older. Choose to stay in shape! Eat healthy. Be healthy.