If you’re following a healthy eating diet plan right now, there’s one thing you can be sure of: there are some important do’s and don’ts. Too many people get into the habit of looking at one aspect of the plan and focusing exclusively on that. For example, it can be calories, so you think about your calorie intake and that becomes your main focus. They are looking to eat low carb, and carbs become their main focus 24 hours a day.

It’s crucial that you don’t miss the big picture here. Take a step back and look at the best and worst steps you could take in your diet plan…

The best: eat more vegetables. There is no doubt about it; you need to eat more vegetables. Any fresh produce will do. Get it: the more, the better.

The worst: drink your calories. One point to focus on avoiding is drinking your calories. When you drink your calories, you won’t get the same satiety benefits you would if you ate them; therefore, you may consume more calories than you initially planned. Focus on the calories in food and drink water. The only exception to this is protein powder shakes.

The best: add more protein. Speaking of protein powder, focus on getting more protein into your diet. Most people aren’t eating enough, so more will do you good. Chicken, fish, turkey, lean steak, eggs, protein powder – all are excellent sources.

The worst: go to extremes. Another step you can take is to make sure you don’t go to extremes. Avoid eating an ultra-low calorie diet plan, as this will only lead to slow metabolism and stagnant fat loss.

Avoid removing all carbs or fat from your diet plan – you need those nutrients. Balance is essential.

The best: eat more omega-3 fats. Getting enough omega-3 fatty acids is essential, and this is another area where many people fall short. Omega-3 fatty acids are one of the healthiest nutrients you can eat, so be careful when including them. Salmon, flaxseed, and walnuts are great options.

The worst: Forget the nutritional value. Finally, make sure you don’t get so caught up looking at calorie numbers that you forget to consider the actual nutritional value of the foods you choose. Does the food contain enough nutrients, for example, or will the food be considered empty calories? A diet full of processed foods will never be a good option.

If you keep these tips in mind, you should be on your way to eating healthier than ever.