Eating better requires a set of changes in the groceries you buy and the foods you cook at home, but there are some constants. One of them is eating more vegetables, and the other could be exchanging plant-based protein (tofu) for some meat and dairy products. If the latter sounds interesting, shop at an Asian market for an excellent tofu selection and much more. If you check online before placing your order, you'll find Asian main course recipes heavy on the vegetables and light on the meat. They follow an eat-to-live philosophy more than one about indulgence, and meat adds flavor, not the recipe's bulk.

The key to cooking tasty Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, or Vietnamese recipes is the authentic flavors from spice blends, marinades, and sauces. They're in abundance when you shop at an Asian market and give the taste your family and friends will love. When cooking lighter food involving more vegetables, the flavorings keep the meals as attractive as those prepared with more decadent (and less healthy) ingredients. You'll be eating less fat, cholesterol, and calories and getting more vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Once you become accustomed to eating lighter foods, you'll love them.

Many Asian supermarkets have expanded fresh fish and seafood departments, and depending on which ones you choose, you'll eat healthier. When you prepare fish, think of grilling or baking it with tasty seasonings that make it flavorful. You'll find many Chinese and Japanese recipes for making fish and seafood taste delicious. Salmon teriyaki is a mainstay, but there are many other choices. If you don't have the time to shop at an Asian market in person, consider ordering online. It allows you to shop places long distances from your house that are willing to deliver. It's an excellent decision.

Western culinary traditions are often based on indulgence, and if you've been overeating, it can be a tricky pattern to break. It's why switching things up with where you food shop and the recipes you make can be so helpful. Over time, you'll learn to appreciate and enjoy other foods and find it easier to eat a balanced diet high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals – and lower in fat, sugar, cholesterol, and calories. Let the switch to shopping at an Asian market be the first step in your dietary evolution. You'll feel and look better when you eat healthier, have more energy, and be able to focus. It's a win-win on many levels.