According to the U.S. Surgeon General, the three most important personal habits that influence health are smoking, alcohol consumption and diet. For the two out of three adults who do not drink excessively or smoke, the single biggest influence on their long-term health outcome is diet. The Surgeon General's 1988 Report on Nutrition and Health establishes the fact that two-thirds of all deaths -- including coronary heart disease, stroke, atherosclerosis, diabetes and some types of cancer -- are related to what we eat.

And when it comes to diet, the most important changes we can make are to decrease fat and sodium, and increase consumption of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. With that in mind ...

Say hello to five a day!

Most health experts recommend eating at least five servings each day of a variety of fruits and vegetables. No other food groups provide as much vitamin A (100 percent of your daily requirements in one serving of cantaloupe), vitamin C (240 percent of your daily requirements in one serving of kiwi) or fiber. Fruits and vegetables are naturally low in fat, and the fat they do contain is not saturated. In addition, fruits and vegetables are packed with healthful phytochemicals and antioxidants that appear to protect us from disease.