Eating Healthy

[TheMetetron]

So I've decided recently to stop eating all the junk that has been a regular part of my diet for the last twenty-some-odd years of my life.

Normally, I'd eat all sorts of fried crap, italian, burgers, etc at all hours of the day. Now I want to cut all of that out and eat stuff that, if not good for me, is at least less bad... but I need some help.

1) First of all, soda. I'm addicted to caffeine and I'm aware of it. I know stopping cold turkey is a really bad idea as withdrawals are possible. I hope to cut back to 2 sodas per day, one glass of juice in the morning, and bottled water the rest of the day. I know juice isn't that good for you either, but natural juice can't be as bas as soda and I need something besides water with my breakfast. Which brings us to..

2) Breakfast. Eggs/bacon/hash browns are bad. I get it. Special K with some fresh cut strawberries and non-fat milk? That's my plan but I can imagine that getting boring. I hope it's healthier (seems like it has to be), but I need some alternatives to give some variety to my life.

3) Lunch. Sandwiches on whole grain bread with low fat turkey/chicken and one slice of low fat pepperjack cheese (5g fat). Top it with tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, lettuce, mustard, and a drop of low-fat miracle whip. Piece of fruit and a bottle of water on the side. Good? Again, any other ideas to spice things up that are good for you?

3) Snacks. Stock up on apples, oranges, pears, bananas (I know these aren't that good for you, but no more than one banana a day has to be better than what I eat now), carrots, etc. This is going to be my only snack food. No more chips and other crap.

4) Dinner. Here is where I am [censored]. I have a very, very, very basic cooking ability. Grilled chicken with a side of steamed peas/carrots/broccoli seems like an OK idea, but I really have no clue what to start making here. Eating out isn't going to do it, I've been doing that for too long and this has to be healthier/cheaper. Any good (and EASY) things I can make for dinner? Is a side of rice or baked potato that bad if I don't pile crap on it?

The idea is to start eating healthier... it is not necessarily a diet. I'm not going to limit my eating, but I'm also going to try and not eat too much (has never been much of a problem for me). I'm not overweight (5'10" 175lbs) but I could stand to lease 5-10 lbs of stomach fat... which I would probably gain back after starting to work out after losing it.

I also want to work out 30 minutes a day doing some form of cardio and then adding in weight training after I lose a few pounds. Basically, I just want to stop these bad habits before I get too old and I can't change. I also want the feeling of feeling better during the day that I assume comes with eating right and working out.

Thanks for any help/suggestions/encouragement.