Pistachios (©photo by xandart, courtesy of morgueFile.com)

Determined to keep your New Year's resolution to eat healthy in 2011? We hope you do, but we know it's not going to be easy. We're told that only 71% of people who make New Year’s resolutions maintain them past two weeks. And coming off the holiday season when many of us indulged in an abundance of finger foods and delicious desserts certainly adds to the challenge.

To help, we are passing on some advice from Oz Garcia, PhD, a nutritionist with a stellar client list that includes Hilary Swank, Kim Cattrall, Heidi Klum, Naomi Campbell, Winona Ryder and Veronica Webb. He offers these easy-to-attain resolutions for 2011:

• Purchase a new healthy cookbook: Tired of whipping up the same old recipes week after week? Buy a new healthy cookbook and pick a different dish to try each week. You’ll be cooking up new favorites in no time.

• Keep fresh food in your refrigerator: Next time you go grocery shopping, keep a minimum of 75% of your purchases to the perimeters of the store - where you find all the fresh produce and proteins. You’ll be more likely to reach for these healthy staples every time you open your refrigerator and you won’t have that guilty conscious later!

• Find a work out buddy: Team up with a friend, co-worker or even a neighbor and set achievable, weekly goals. Whether it’s to walk three times a week or attend that new workout class you’ve had your eye on at the gym, make sure they’re tasks you can accomplish.

• Participate in The Green Nut Challenge: Consume 1.5 oz of pistachios every day and reap the health benefits. Results from recent studies suggest that U.S. adults who consume nuts, such as pistachios, versus those who do not may have lower body weight measures and obesity, a lower prevalence of health risks and better diets.

• Make your lunch the night before: Dismiss those vending machine cravings and turn to your brown paper bag. By packing your lunch the night before you’ll be less apt to turn to unhealthy items that will only leave you with regret later. Make sure to bring plenty of nutritious snacks that will curb afternoon snacking.

Best Wishes for a Healthy & Happy New Year!

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