Recently, the department has received numerous inquiries about fad diets: Do they work? Are they safe? Will they help me lose weight?  Our nutrition department put together a couple of tips to watch out for when it comes to dieting.

 1)      Promotes a drastic weight loss in a short period of time. Losing more than two pounds per week can lead to muscle loss and slow down your metabolism. People who lose weight slowly and gradually are more likely to keep off the pounds because they lost fat, not muscle.

2)      Recommends 1,000 calories or less each day. Generally speaking, most people need between 1600 to 2400 calories per day depending on age, gender, and activity level.  Consuming too little can slow down your metabolism making it difficult to lose weight. To find out how many calories you need each day to reach and maintain a healthy weight visit My Pyramid Menu Planner.

 Moral of the story: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. The best way to reach and maintain a healthy weight is to lose gradually by balancing what you eat with how you move. Be active and eat your fruits and veggies! Visit our Nutrition Network to get more tips on eating healthy.