Optimal Diet

One of my friends recently asked me to share what I thought were characteristics of the optimal diet. Of course as a nutrition student, all I do is think about food as it relates to health, however, I've never actually written these things down.

1) Eat foods in their most whole form
Whenever possible, don't eat anything out of a box

2) Eat foods that come from the earth
Support your local farmers and your local economy

3) Lastly, eat food, not food products