Ten years ago, when I did a health workshop at Somers High School, I came upon a poster full of great ideas. I thought the start of 2025 would be a great time to share them with you. So here are the tips and my [food-related] take on each one:

Think before you act. Of course, when it comes to food, mindfulness is the name of the game. This counts for what we eat and what we waste. Think more about the former and avoid more of the latter.

Keep a clear head. There is no question that alcohol and drugs impair our decision-making, especially when it comes to eating. If you're participating in Dry January, it's a double win - avoiding both the toxic effects of alcohol and the influence it has on what we eat.

Gather all the facts. It might not be possible to get all the facts, but we definitely have a preponderance of research demonstrating the healthfulness of a plant predominant diet.

Ask others you respect for advice. I guess that's why every health recommendation starts with, “consult your doctor or other health care practitioner (such as a Registered Dietitian) before making any decisions or taking any action based on this information.”

Be honest with yourself and others. To achieve goals, you need an accurate starting point, and you need to know what you really want.

Know all your options. Advertising, culture, even the layout of the supermarket, are all designed to promote a specific choice. But other options are available; you just have to look.

Don't give in to peer pressure. Studies demonstrate our friends and family have tremendous influence over our food choice and health outcomes. Use this knowledge to find peers who will inspire the lifestyle behaviors you want to achieve.

Remember your values and goals. Stop to be sure your goals reflect your values, then make them SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound).

Imagine the consequences of each choice. While the sugar high from cookies and cake lasts only a few minutes, the positive consequences of healthy habits last a lifetime.

Practice makes perfect. This one I don't totally agree with. Practice makes progress (perfect is a myth). New habits could take days, months or longer to create. Every day is a new opportunity to make healthy choices for yourself and the planet.