The key to living a healthy life is eating a balanced diet. Some people think going on no carb diet or cutting certain food groups out of your diet is what will help you lose weight, but that’s not true.

The key to maintaining a healthy weight and consuming all the nutrients you need is based on consuming a balanced diet. You should be consuming carbs, dairy, protein, fruits, vegetables and water daily.

You can consume your protein, dairy and carbs in a healthy way. Beans, eggs and fish are all sources of protein. If you don’t consume any type of meat, including fish, then legumes, beans, and tofu will be your best friend. There are many different ways to make healthy options taste great.

Instead of eating white rice, bread, and pasta, switch to whole wheat. You’ll get the same great taste, but with added nutrients. Whole wheat options are everywhere and are a way better choice than white products.

Dairy is needed in the diet as a source of calcium, protein and vitamins. Look for products that are low-fat because you will get the same benefits without the added cholesterol and saturated fats. If you don't like dairy products try soy milk or almond milk. There is no need for whole milk in your diet so you can completely cut it out. These dairy substitutes have more flavor and are not animal byproducts.

Fruits and vegetables are needed in your everyday diet. They are a main source of vitamins and minerals and will fill you up without the added calories. If you need to grab a quick snack, a banana, apple, or bag of veggies will do the trick and is the better than a high sodium snack.

Water is the most important part of any healthy diet. Your entire body is made up of water and the more you drink, the better you’ll feel. Start making water your drink of choice and see how much better you feel from not consuming unwanted sugars from sweet drinks.

Instead of cutting out certain food groups from your diet, learn how to balance and manage your portion sizes. Everything is good in moderation.