Most of us probably think we have a pretty good idea of what a "balanced diet" looks like. And a lot of us may be wrong.

"I don't love the term," which can give people an outdated or oversimplified idea of what healthy eating looks like.

"We wouldn't tell someone that they can smoke a couple of cigarettes just as long as they get 60 minutes of exercise during the day! "So similarly, we shouldn't tell folks that they should have foods that aren't really nutrient-dense, just as long as they have some vegetables on their plate."

Finding balance in your diet also is more than just adding up numbers, "If I tell you, 'You should eat so many milligrams of a certain nutrient,' you'll be like, 'Well, what does that mean? It could be very overwhelming to many people.

But a healthy approach to eating doesn't have to be complicated.

1. Picture the plate:

Focusing on nutrient-dense foods is a healthy way to start. "You need your healthy fat sources, your healthy protein sources, and your fruits and vegetables," a combination that provides balance. "If you're eating whole grains and fruits and vegetables, but you don't have a protein source, that's not good."

2. Don't count on quick fixes

It's natural to look for shortcuts to correct an imbalance. But there's no substitute for healthy eating, and you can't buy balance in a pill. But a healthy eating pattern is about more than any single nutrient. Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables, for example, provides not only vitamins and minerals, but helpful fiber, which is important for heart health.

3. It doesn't have to break the bank

Finding fresh fruits and vegetables can be tough in communities where food options are limited or budgets are tight. Planning can help. "Look for sales, coupons and market promotions. "Try to purchase in bulk when possible, especially for nonperishable items."

Keep in mind that with fruits and vegetables, "canned and frozen options can be just as nutrient-dense as compared to fresh versions."

In-season produce can be more affordable, and while gardening is not an option for everyone, "It's a great way to get the kids involved and for knowing where your food came from."

4. Think beyond the plate

The idea of balance in a meal goes beyond what you're eating. "It's not all about the food, but also how you approach your meals.

When counseling people on making healthy changes to what they eat, I encourage them not to focus on a number on a scale, but to think about how eating well makes them feel better. "We shouldn't lose the joy that we get from eating a good meal."

I also is a proponent of eating as a family, "which means putting your screens away," and I encourage involving kids in the preparation process.

"When you're cooking together as a family, that's when it becomes more fun."

Put another way, a healthy diet doesn't mean one person making themselves a kale smoothie alone. "Maybe you make kale chips with your kids." Maybe you make bread, but bake it with whole grains, and maybe top it off with some bran.

The path to balanced eating is about "keeping it simple, keeping it fun, making it a family affair." And with that, "I think healthy eating should be easy."