Tip one: Know your family history. Our genetic make up gives us an idea of what diseases and health issues we are predisposition to. It does not mean you will for sure get it, but based on family habits, and the results of those habits, chances are the cycle will continue with you unless something in your lifestyle, particularly your diet, is changed.

If you know what diseases your family has had, you know which ones you are likely to get, and thus which ones to try and prevent. This leads us to tip two.

Tip two: Learn about disease, and diet, and the connection the two have. If your family suffers from a long history of diabetes, then you will want to study how diet affects diabetes, not only getting it, but managing it. When you learn about it, you can make wise diet decisions that will help you in your quest not to get it. If it is cancer you might find the need to limit your protein intake, or increase your leafy greens. Part of a wise diet decision is learning what foods to eat to help, and what foods to avoid to stay healthy.

Tip three: Avoidance. While much of diet is what we put in our body, a big part of making wise diet decisions is what we do not put in. Being wise in your diet means not including lots of processed and refined foods, not having alcohol, tobacco, or drugs be apart of your diet and lifestyle. Avoiding too much sugar, fats, meats, cheeses, etc. is also a wise dietary plan. Excess is not good, and avoiding excess is part of a wise dietary decision.

Tip four: Staying close to nature is a wise diet decision. The healthiest populations in the world eat almost 80% raw foods. They partake of fruits and vegetables in large quantities, and do so without adding tons of salad dressing, seasoning, etc. instead, they eat raw, or fresh fruits and vegetables, and have found delightful ways to prepare them when they do want them cooked without saturating them in oils or other unhealthy food items. The closer something is to its natural state, the healthier it is for you. A potato chip might be made from potato, but no one can deny that a baked potatoes is healthier than the processed and refined chip. So look at the list of ingredients on the packaging, and stick to ones with minimal things. Also, buy and consume as much fresh fruits and vegetables as you can. They sustain life.

Tip five: Be prepared. Often times when we make poor diet decisions rather than wise it is because we are in a hurry. So, instead of letting a busy schedule be an excuse for poor health, plan ahead. When you buy healthy foods take some time to have them washed, cut, and ready to use or eat. Keep some fresh fruit on hand. A big mac is not going to be faster than an apple or a banana. If you know you are one to choose convenience over health, make health convenient.