Do you have a bad diet? Many people don't even realize how unhealthy their eating habits are but there are also quite a few people who know they aren't eating right and have a hard time changing that around.

It's not always easy to follow a healthy diet. Healthy eating can cost more, it can take extra time and it is hard to stick to during holidays or other social situations. But just being aware of what a good diet versus a bad diet is can help you make the right choices.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind.

These are some of the most obvious protagonists in healthy diets but it's worth repeating their benefits. Fruits and vegetables provide many needed vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidant properties. All fruits and veggies are good but if you stick to the most color-rich ones, you're giving an extra boost to your body. Berries are good examples of these.

Get your daily dose of Omega-3 fatty acids. Oily fish contains a great deal of these which are good for your brain, your heart and your skin. Some good examples of oily fish are salmon, herring and tuna. Tuna does come with a little bit of extra warning because of its mercury content so don't overdo it with that one (especially if you are pregnant). If the thought of eating fish turns your stomach, you can get omega-3 essential fatty acids from walnuts, soy, canola oil and flax seeds too.

You've probably heard about the important role of fiber in your diet. If you manage to get enough fiber, you are probably also eating fewer calories as fiber contains no calories at all. Another great benefit of eating fiber is that it makes you feel full longer. Good fiber sources include whole grain bread, pasta and cereal, green vegetables and legumes. It is recommended that women take in at least 25 grams of fiber each day. Men should get at least 38 grams.

This isn't exactly in the food category but water is also extremely important to a good diet. Cutting down or eliminating colas from your diet is one of the easiest ways to cut down on calories and chemicals. Replace these drinks with calorie-free water.

Finally, one of the most important tips of all. Don't skip meals, especially breakfast. Skipping breakfast actually lowers your metabolism while if you eat breakfast, you burn more calories during the day. Skipping meals might seem like a good idea but eventually hunger will get the better of you and you'll end up eating more than you should and maybe more of the wrong kind of foods. Try to get three balanced meals each day and eat small healthy snacks (like fruit, cheese, nuts or yogurt) in between.

Keeping this advice in mind can help you reverse your bad diet.