Eat Smart, Not Less

Britney Spears recently revealed she has regained her bikini bod by following a 1,200 calories-a-day meal plan and eliminating sugar from her diet.

"I have no sugar. I don't eat fruit or even fruit juice because of the sugar. I eat chicken and salmon and rice. I eat avocados. I'll have egg whites for breakfast and sometimes turkey burgers for lunch," Spears tells OK! Magazine. "I try to do just 1,200 calories a day. It may sound like it's not much, but it's actually a lot of food if you eat the right things."

Following a 1,200 calories-a-day diet may not a feasible long-term solution for weight loss, but eating smart--not eating less--may be the key to losing weight, at least according to a study by Penn State University Researchers.

The researchers found that diets composed primarily of foods low in calorie density--including fruits, vegetables, lean meat, and low-fat dairy--can promote healthy weight loss while controlling hunger. That's because piling your plate with low calorie density foods translates to more satisfying portions, which reduces the feelings of hunger and deprivation associated with calorie-restricted diets.

Why does this matter to you? Because foods high in water and low in fat, such as fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and low-fat dairy products, mean fewer calories per bite! That said, you still need to eat within your calorie range and consider your food's nutrient content, as well as its effect on your blood sugar.

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