Everyone knows that we have to eat healthily in order to stay healthy.

Yet many people find it hard to do so.

It doesn't help that there are so many diet plans out there, each one purporting to be 'the one true diet' for you.

One useful way to get you into the habit of eating healthily is by applying a few principles to the way you eat. I've outlined 8 of them below. Notice that I do not mention counting calories. That's because it takes away the fun when you have to stop and check numbers before you eat something. Anything that lessens your enjoyment of something will make it hard for you to stick to that thing.

So to make life easy, and to help you stick to your healthy eating patterns, don't think in terms calories. Your body is the most intelligent machine in existence. Listen to it instead and do what it says (eg eat when it says you're hungry, stop when it says you're full, etc - see below).

I. Eat small portions of food for each meal. There is no 'one size fits all' rule here. You know what a sensibly small portion looks like, for you.

II. Eat frequently. Most adults get hungry about 3-4 hours after their last meal.

Aim to eat at least 5 small sized meals each day. This keeps your metabolic rate high, thus helping you release excess weight easily, naturally, safely and healthily.

Study yourself and see how soon after eating you feel hungry again. This will help you prepare in advance so that you don't get very hungry and fall into the temptation of eating anything available

III. Eat foods that you enjoy eating, making sure that each meal contains all the essential nutrients (protein, carbohydrates, fats, minerals and vitamins).

Broaden your range of 'enjoyed food' to include as much unprocessed food as possible. Try new things and limit unprocessed foods as they're plain unhealthy.

Set yourself up to succeed by stocking healthy foods and snacks in your house. That way they're readily available, and you've got no choice but to eat them.

One great way to enjoy a meal, whatever it is, is by eating slowly. Take time to actually chew your food. This also aids digestion (which begins in your mouth).

IV. Eat only when you