Gradually start substituting healthier ingredients for the less-healthy ones that you find in many recipes. Move faster on this when and where you can. Buy lower-fat, higher-quality grass-fed ground beef instead of standard grade ground beef. Or consider substituting ground turkey, ground chicken, or veggie burgers.

Get reduced-fat cheese, preferably "natural" or "organic". Look for uncured, nitrite-free bacon, or consider using turkey bacon, or soy bacon.

Seek out whole-grain breads, rolls, tortillas, English muffins, and pasta. Avoid products based on white flour. Note that "enriched wheat flour" and "unbleached enriched wheat flour" on ingredient labels are code for white flour.

Try white whole wheat flour, a variety of whole wheat flour that looks and acts much like white flour.

As supermarkets become more responsive to consumers’ desires for better health, more of these products become available and prices come down. That’s the beauty of supply and demand.

You may not notice a difference in your health right away, but trust me, your body will thank you for your concern and care.