When limiting calories, it is still very important to satisfy your body’s basic nutritional needs. This can be accomplished by eating a variety of foods every day, such as by choose from each of the five food groups - dairy, meat, fruit, vegetable and bread (while still allowing yourself an occasional treat, as a reward for you good efforts). Balanced food plans encourage making wise choices about everyday food, i.e., choices that you can make in order to maintain your proper weight for life.

Sometimes healthy weight loss can be as simple as evaluating one’s eating patterns. For example, one can control their hunger pangs by eating five or six small meals a day, rather than the traditional three meals. However, if you prefer to stay with eating three main meals, always plan for some low-calorie between-meal snacks to discourage any overeating at your next meal.

Contrary to what many fad diets try to tell you, virtually all foods and beverages can be consumed, though in moderation. However, it is always a good idea to cut down on foods high in fat and sugar, or to substitute for them with reduced-calorie and reduced-fat foods and beverages. Most successful weight-loss plans call for a reduction in both calories and the amount of fat eaten. The fat in your diet should be limited to no more than 30%, or less, of your total caloric consumption each day. And always remember that regardless of what form the calories are in, all calories taken into the body still count!

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