Here are five tips to healthier eating in 2008, courtesy of Linda Farr, San Antonio-based registered dietitian/nutritionist and owner of Nutrition Associates of San Antonio.

Always in moderation. You don't have to eliminate ice cream, chocolate or fried foods from your diet altogether, but enjoy them only on occasion ..... and in moderation. Or perhaps use them as a reward for a week, month, etc. of healthy eating.

Plan ahead. Sit down once a week and plan out a few ideas for meals for the upcoming week instead of scrambling at the last minute for a meal that might not be quite so healthy.

Get fresh. Grocery shop for produce and fresh foods a couple of times per week to keep a supply of healthy food in the house at all times. As for canned and frozen foods, purchase those every couple of weeks.

Cook at home ..... for a variety of reasons. Not only do freshly prepared meals often contain more nutrients than their fast-food counterparts, they're also cost-effective and don't often take as long to prepare as one might imagine.

Limit your alcohol intake. Farr, citing statistics from the American Heart Association, recommends that women consume no more than one alcoholic beverage per day, whereas guys should limit themselves to two.

Clint Hale | 210SA