Diet & Fitness Blog

By Geoffrey Anderson Jr.
Copy Editor

Been busy counting carbs? Eating low-fat foods lately? According to a new study, it doesn’t matter what type of diet you’re on – what matters is that you’re keeping your calories in check.

Funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health, the study followed more than 800 overweight adults who were placed on one of four heart-healthy diets, each of which mixed carbs, fats and proteins in different amounts. The diets were loosely based on popular plans like the Mediterranean diet.

Over two years, participants in each group saw similar weight-loss results – regardless of whether their plan was focused on carbs, fats or protein amounts. Six months in, dieters lost an average of 13 pounds, and they maintained an average 9-pound loss over the two years.

Researchers attribute the similar results to that fact that all of them had a reduced calorie intake; the plans all used the same calorie ranges (1,200-2,400 calories per day, depending on the person).

What does this mean for you? Calories are what count, no matter how you get them. However, that doesn’t mean you can eat whatever you want so long as you stay in your calorie range. Pam Ofstein, eDiets Director of Nutrition Services, warns against solely focusing on calories when it comes to your diet.

"You want consume the right amount of calories for weight loss along with eating the right balance of carbohydrates, protein and fats, focusing on including whole foods like whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, lean protein sources and healthy fats," Pam says. "It isn’t healthy to consume the calories you need just from low-calorie, low-nutrient value foods – you want to be sure the foods you consume are loaded with nutritional value.

All of this information can get overwhelming. That's why eDiets makes weight loss easy by offering customizable meal plans that do the counting for you. Take this quick 2-minute quiz to find your best match.

"All our plans are calorie-smart, portion-controlled and include the right balance to help you reach your goals,” Pam says. "Each meal is portioned and calculated to perfectly fit the calorie needs defined by your personal profile."

So now that you know that calories are the secret to weight loss, how do you get started on slimming down? Here are three steps to shed those unwanted pounds:

1. Find a diet that works for your lifestyle. This is the most important step. Instead of trying the latest fad diet, opt for a plan you can stick to.

“Finding a plan that fits your needs is important,” says Pam. “You want to find a plan that works for you and your lifestyle, one you will enjoy and includes all the foods that you like. Going on a plan just to lose weight -- one you really doesn’t fit your lifestyle -- can make it harder to stick to in the long run and really doesn’t teach you how to eat healthy.”

With more than 20 meal plans available, eDiets has something for every taste -- and every weight-loss goal.

"We offer more than one plan because we know that each of you out there is different but want to reach the same goals," Pam says. "We help you get there by offering different plans that can fit anyone’s needs."

2. Make sure you have support. Dieters who received regular counseling and support during the study lost more weight than those who didn’t. The same holds true for eDiets members. Our most successful member group lost an average of almost 12 pounds in 4 weeks!

“Weight loss is a hard challenge,” Pam says. “Just like anything in life, if you have support or people who are backing you with a challenge, it makes it easier and provides accountability along the way. A community to support you makes you realize you are not in this alone.”

A community to support you is what you’ll find here at eDiets, where you can access more than 80 support boards visited by people going through similar experiences. You can also email our nutritionists at nutrition@eDiets.com or call them personally at 866-756-0510 (10 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST, Monday-Friday).

3. Keep a food journal. One of the largest weight-loss studies conducted found that a food journal can help double your weight-loss results. By keeping track of what you eat – including snacks – you hold yourself more accountable. Plus, it gives you the opportunity to see everything you’ve eaten throughout the day, including that candy bar you might have otherwise forgotten about.

If you don’t have the time to sit down and write, however, let eDiets keep track for you. With our plans, you know exactly what you’re eating each day – there aren’t any surprises. Click here to learn more about how eDiets makes weight loss easier!

Like this post? Check out these, too:
-- eDiets Members Favorite Recipes
-- Your Complete Weight-Loss Checklist
-- Restaurant Dining Out Guide

Labels: calories, dieting, ediets, lose weight, meal plans, nutrition, shed pounds, weight loss