Vegetables and fruits aid weight loss

The public seems to have lost interest in low-carbohydrate fad diets. In a recent survey conducted by the American Institute for Cancer Research, four out of five weight-conscious people said they turn to salads, vegetables and fruits when trying to shed a few pounds.
This is good news. Despite all the books, advertisements and commercial products touting low-carb diets, the majority of Americans are sticking with a tried-and-true method for safe, steady and long-lasting weight management. Instead of jumping to another promising quick-fix diet and unbalanced nutrition, Americans are choosing a common sense eating style that stresses vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans. This eating style can help us stay healthy and keep excess weight at bay.
Plant foods prove effective
Nutrition researchers have conducted studies that confirm the major role plant foods, like vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans, play in managing weight.
These foods appear effective in helping weight management because of their low energy density. Since they are high in water and fiber and comparatively low in calories (energy), they give a feeling of fullness without the higher calories of foods higher in fat. At the same time, they provide an abundance of vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals that promote health and protect against chronic diseases, like cancer.
In one study, when people ate more vegetables and fruits in meals, they reduced their total calorie consumption by more than 400 calories per day. In another study, when overweight people were fed prepared meals much higher in vegetables and fruits and lower in fat than those they usually ate, they had significant weight loss.
The variety of plant foods makes it easy to eat a lot of them. There are so many different kinds, you'll never grow tired of trying new ones. They can be great tasting, too. You may never suspect that they are really good for you and your waist.
Courtesy of the American Institute for Cancer Research. For more information, please visit http://www.aicr.org.