Healthy Living in the Real World

Exercise, eat well, get enough sleep. You've heard it from your doctor, the surgeon general, your mom, and maybe even your kids, but you just don't have time to live by the book. You can't even keep track of the latest guidelines, let alone follow them. WebMD is here to help.

Guidelines for Healthy Living

WebMD compiled this easy reference guide based on input from leaders in nutrition, dentistry, dermatology, mental health, and physical fitness. The guide outlines positive actions for improving and maintaining overall health. (It goes without saying that smokers should quit.)

Those are the guidelines. But don't fall into the trap of an all-or-nothing approach. You may have more success if you add one healthy habit at a time. Read on for specific suggestions in each category.

To get the most out of your diet, American Dietetic Association spokesman Dave Grotto, RD, says the key is to focus on the "crème de la crème" of each food group. "I advise a United Nations approach to eating vegetables," Grotto tells WebMD. "You want the greatest variety and intensity of color." For example, sweet potatoes, squash, and deep ruby-red tomatoes. The same goes for fruits. Look for berries, cherries, and pomegranates. Buy them dried or frozen when they're out of season.

As for grains, Grotto says the most nutritious are those "that have the word 'whole' in the first ingredient." See the chart below for more examples of foods that give you the biggest bang for your bite.

Oral Hygiene

Cleaning your teeth by brushing alone is like trying to "vacuum the whole house without attachments," says American Dental Association spokesman Richard Price, DDS. "You need something to get between the crevices."