I start eating "clean" by eat mostly fresh fruits and vegetables, and cut out most carbs like bread and rice, and most sugary stuff like desserts, candy, and soda. Also, tofu, nuts and seeds instead of meat, or eat more seafood. Try to use minimal oil when cooking. Control portion size, and exercise! Salads really are a blessing though because you can eat a giant salad for less calories; just make sure you don't drown it in salad dressing. You can try every other day only eating strictly healthy foods, then the next day have something like a heavier calorie meal or a dessert you've been craving, so you dont feel deprived and start binge eating.

for me, It's been a lot easier and effective to lose/maintain weight by cooking for myself, vs. when i lived at home and my mom fed me lol.