Diets

Summary

If you are overweight or have obesity, losing weight can improve your health. It might also help you prevent weight-related diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and some cancers. A healthy diet is an important part of a weight-loss program. It:

• May include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products
• May include lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs and nuts
• Goes easy on saturated fats, trans fat, cholesterol, salt (sodium), and added sugars

The key to losing weight is to burn more calories than you eat and drink. A diet can help you to do this through portion control. There are many different types of diets. Some, like the Mediterranean diet, describe a traditional way of eating from a specific region. Others, like the DASH eating plan or a diet to lower cholesterol, were designed for people who have certain health problems. But they may also help you to lose weight. There are also fad or crash diets that severely restrict calories or the types of food you are allowed to eat. They may sound promising, but they rarely lead to permanent weight loss. They also may not provide all of the nutrients your body needs.

In addition to a diet, adding exercise into your daily life can help you to lose weight.

NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Patient Handouts

• 10 ways to cut 500 calories a day Medical Encyclopedia
• Calorie count – Alcoholic beverages Medical Encyclopedia
• Calorie count – fast food Medical Encyclopedia
• Calorie count – sodas and energy drinks Medical Encyclopedia
• Diet for rapid weight loss Medical Encyclopedia
• Diet myths and facts Medical Encyclopedia
• Diet-boosting foods Medical Encyclopedia
• Diet-busting foods Medical Encyclopedia
• Mediterranean diet Medical Encyclopedia

NIH MedlinePlus Magazine

• 5 Questions About Intermittent Fasting
• Diets Rich in Fish and Vegetables May Boost Your Brain Power

Find an Expert

• Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
• Find a Nutrition Expert Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Specifics

• Atkins Diet: What’s Behind the Claims? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Avoid Dangerous HCG Diet Products Food and Drug Administration
• DASH Diet: MedlinePlus Health Topic National Library of Medicine
• Do Detox Diets and Cleanses Work? National Institutes of Health
• Healthy Recipes: Dairy Free National Library of Medicine
• Healthy Recipes: Low Sodium National Library of Medicine
• Healthy Recipes: Vegetarian National Library of Medicine
• Low-Carb Diet: Could It Help You Lose Weight? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• To Fast or Not to Fast: Does When You Eat Matter? National Institutes of Health
• Weight Management and Healthy Living Tips National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Teenagers

• Carbohydrates Boston Children’s Hospital
• Fad Diets vs. Healthy Behaviors Boston Children’s Hospital

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Diet, Reducing National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Weight Loss National Institutes of Health

Reference Desk

• Definitions of Health Terms: Nutrition National Library of Medicine

Related Issues

• Dieting and Gallstones National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• Food Portions: Choosing Just Enough for You National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• How to Handle Food Cravings Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
• Nutrition and Healthy Eating Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• The Truth Behind Weight Loss Ads Federal Trade Commission

Older Adults

• Healthy Lifestyles for Healthy Older Adults Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Start Here

• Healthy Recipes National Library of Medicine
• Some Myths about Nutrition and Physical Activity National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• Weight Loss: Choosing a Diet That’s Right for You Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

Living With

• Healthy Recipes: Low-fat National Library of Medicine

Children

• Keeping Portions Under Control (For Parents) Nemours Foundation

Health Check Tools

• MyPlate Kitchen Department of Agriculture

Games

• Portion Distortion! Do You Know How Food Portions Have Changed in 20 Years? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Journal Articles

• Diets