When it comes to losing weight, any diet that reduces your calorie intake will work. But if you want to lose weight and keep it off, you need to find a diet you can follow for the rest of your life. A simple diet to reduce weight should include foods you can find easily and enjoy eating.
Mediterranean Diet
The Mediterranean diet is a heart-healthy diet that has also been shown to be helpful at promoting and maintaining weight loss, notes the Harvard School of Public Health. The Mediterranean diet is based on the eating and cooking practices of the people living along the Mediterranean Sea. It encourages you to eat more plant-based foods, such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and legumes, and less red meat and refined flours. The Mediterranean diet is not a low-fat diet, and encourages you to liberally use healthy oils, such as olive and canola oil, and to eat fatty fish, such as salmon or tuna at least twice a week.
DASH Diet
The DASH diet was originally designed to help promote a normal blood pressure, but it can also help you lose weight. The diet encourages you to eat eight to 12 servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Fruits and vegetables are low in calories and high in fiber, and can help satisfy hunger while controlling your calorie intake for weight loss. In addition, the DASH diet also encourages you to chose whole grains, lean sources of protein and low-fat dairy foods. It also provides specific recommendations of what to eat from each food group to help control calorie intake.
Weight Watchers
If you need a more traditional weight loss plan, consider Weight Watchers. It uses a simple food point system to help you control calorie intake for weight loss. A food's point value is based on its calories, fat and fiber content. Foods that are low in calories, low in fat and high in fiber have fewer points than foods high in calories, high in fat and low in fiber. In addition to helping you lose weight, Weight Watchers teaches you how to make healthier food choices and control portions. It also offers a group support system for motivation.
Calories Count
Calories Count is a free online weight loss program that teaches you how to control your calorie intake for weight loss. The website's diet assessment tool determines your daily calorie needs to achieve your goal weight. Once you know your calorie goal, you can use the online food calculator and food diary to help you track your calorie intake. In addition to helping you count your calories, the website also offers free calorie-controlled meal plans that include recipes and shopping lists. The site is run by the Calorie Control Council, a nonprofit trade association.
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