Low Calorie Dieting - Beginner's Guide

Right now, you’re probably thinking more about losing weight than you are about protecting your health while you’re following a low calorie diet. As a dietitian, I have to look at you more holistically. I have to look at the effects of the food choices you make on your current and long-term health. That’s why I’m including this primer on all the important nutrients you need in your diet and the foods that provide them. Think of this section as a freshman level course in basic nutrition with an emphasis on calorie control.

In the old days, dietitians were trained to say “There are no good foods and no bad foods, just too much of some foods.” That’s still true to a certain extent, but dietitians know better now. Some foods are much better for you than others and, for many people, some foods seem to have an addictive quality that makes it impossible to resist eating more, after you’ve had a taste. That quality doesn’t make them bad foods, but those foods aren’t good for you until you gain better control over the amount you eat.

This section discusses good food sources of all the nutrients that are essential to a healthful low calorie diet. You also figure out how to make smarter choices with treats and sweets, and how some junk food can still play a role in a healthy low-cal diet.