Many people are always on the lookout for ways to boost their happiness, and improving health is often part of these plans. One of the most common ways to seek better health is to adopt a more healthy diet, and the following tips may help.

- Do not eat too close to bedtime. A 2014 study published in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics found that eating more of a day's total energy intake in the evening is associated with a higher risk of being overweight or obese. The researchers behind the study concluded that eating more of the day's energy intake at midday can lower the risk of being overweight or obese. Individuals are more likely to stay the course when they see positive results, so try to eat dinner several hours before bedtime and resist the urge to snack after dinnertime.

- Treat yourself, but only periodically. It's unreasonable and potentially counterproductive to completely avoid foods seen as treats. Cutting out indulgent foods may seem appropriate, but such an approach could make a person miserable, and a diet that sparks feelings of misery will prove harder to stick to than one that allows for the occasional indulgence. Instead, people should save treats for special occasions, and even then only eat them in moderation.

- Consider eating less, but more frequently. Although data conflicts in regard to eating smaller but more frequent meals, this approach may be worth a try. A 2015 study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found that individuals who had six or more eating occasions in 24 hours had a lower mean body mass index than people who had four or fewer eating occasions in 24 hours. The researchers behind the study concluded that eating a larger number of small meals throughout the day - an approach commonly referred to as grazing - may be associated with improved diet quality and lower BMI. However, some research has indicated that grazing has no metabolic advantage over other approaches to eating. Nonetheless, it should not hurt for dieters to try this approach and see if it works for them.

People regularly embark on quests to eat healthier, and a few simple strategies may help them stay the course as they adjust to a new diet.