This week on Health Watch, we’re talking about making changes in the coming new year. If you’re like a lot of us, you’ve said at least once during the holiday season that you’re going on a diet as soon as the holidays are over.

Lona Sandon, a registered dietitian at UT Southwestern Medical Center, says your first step should be to clear the remains of the holidays from your house. Get rid of the candy, cookies, snacks and treats. Then fill your home with good, nutritious foods such as fruits, vegetables, lean meats, whole grains, nuts and low-fat dairy products. It’s a lot easier to eat right when good food is handy. Focus on adding good foods to your diet instead of on removing bad foods so you’ll feel less deprived. Try a new kind of fruit or vegetable or test a new low-calorie recipe. Remember that portion sizes count even with healthy foods, so don’t overindulge on anything.

Visit http://www.utsouthwestern.org/patientcare/medicalservices/nutrition.html to learn more about UT Southwestern’s clinical services in nutrition.