Does your diet need a fresh start after the gluttonous holiday season? Is your New Year’s resolution to lose weight? If so, try incorporating more whole foods into your diet.

What are whole foods? It’s not just the name of an upscale grocery store. Whole foods are food in their natural state, sold after minimal processing. Nutrition experts suggest eating whole foods because you receive all the naturally occurring nutrients and vitamins that are lost when foods are processed.

It’s easy to incorporate whole foods into a healthier diet. To start, shop mostly on the perimeter of grocery stores. This is where your whole foods, including fresh fruits, vegetables, seafood, meats and dairy products, are placed.

Second, limit the number of packaged foods you buy. When purchasing packaged items, look at the ingredients list. If you can’t pronounce more than two of its ingredients, put it back. It’s likely heavily processed and not the healthiest item to purchase.

When you get home, wash and cut fresh fruits and vegetables. Portion these out into snack bags and refrigerate. We often grab a bag of potato chips or popcorn, which are heavily processed foods, when we’re feeling lazy. Preparing these bags in advance makes snacking easier.

Another way to incorporate whole foods in your diet is to cook from scratch often. By cooking for yourself, you’re in control of the ingredients used, thereby making healthy, nutrient-laden meals. Cook large batches on weekends and separate into containers to eat during the week.

Consciously purchasing and eating whole foods may require some effort, but it’s an easy way to kick-start a healthy diet in the New Year.