the basics of proper eating

Before you get into what diet to lean your self towards weather that be south beach, Atkins , the zone or body for life you need to understand the structure of a proper diet. So as the saying goes see the forest for the tress, you need to make sure you are looking at the big picture. If you pick a diet format you think is going to work for you, it wont do you much good if you cant get the major factors down because you are too busy focusing on the details.
The major steps you should focus on first are
Eat 4-5 small meals a day
Be prepared, If you know the when, where and what for your next meal you are much less likely to make a quick stop for a double quarter pounder with a large coke. Stick to one plan, it wont do you much good to do one type of diet for breakfast, one type for dinner and one type for a late night snack