Thursday, February 26, 2009

Successful Dieting Really Hasn't Changed

Twenty-five years ago, successful dieting simply meant reducing food intake. Less eaten meant more fat used, and a loss of weight. Since then, numerous diets have advocated that the type of food eaten was more important that the reduction of calories. Low fat, low carbohydrate, and high protein are just a few examples.

According to Calorie Counters Have It Right, Diet Study Says in The Wall Street Journal, a National Institute of Health (NIH) study showed that weight loss correlated most with the amount of calories eaten. Participants were put on one of four diets that had 750 calories less than they needed per day. After two years, participants lost an average nine pounds and two inches in their waist, no matter which diet they used.

Bottom line: No matter the diet, what's really important is restricting the calories. In one way, nothing has really changed about dieting in 25 years. On the other hand, we now know there are endless food options, as long as we reduce the calories.

For more on Crossing Generations, check back every Thursday for a new segment.

This is not financial or health advice. Please consult a professional advisor.

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