To achieve weight loss you need to consume less calories than you expend. Eating less can certainly help. However, when people restrict calories too much they often lose lean body mass. A loss of lean body mass is not desired because it weakens the organs and muscles, and also slows down metabolism. Research has also shown that the combination of both diet and exercise leads to much greater weight loss. Exercise also appears to be the best predictor of long-term weight management.

So, before you go restricting too many calories and eliminating certain food groups from your diet, first take a look at what improvements you can make to your eating habits. Substitute poor nutritional choices for more healthful choices. Include a wide variety of whole grains, fresh fruit and vegetables, lean protein sources, beans, and low fat dairy products. These foods will provide you with more nutrients and fewer calories than fast food options and other less healthful choices.