One of the worst things you can do to your body is go on a fad diet. The best ways to lose weight can be found in books on nutrition. I was on the yo-yo dieting merry-go-round for many years until I discovered that all my body really wanted was to be fed nutrients so it could do its job of burning fat. Fad diets prepare you for the yo-yo diet.

Fad diets are easy to recognize because they have the following common characteristics:

1. Any diet that claims you will lose more than two pounds. of fat a week is a fad diet. Your bathroom scale may show a larger loss, but that will be the weight of the water. Remember, slow and steady keeps the weight off.

2. Stay away from any diet program that makes you severely restrict any of the food groups. Including all the food groups in your diet plan is one of the best ways to lose weight.

3. Fad diets don’t include how to stay slim forever, because you can NOT follow a fad diet without getting sick or damaging your body system.

4. Any diet that strictly restricts daily caloric intake is dangerous. Very low calorie diets will lower your metabolism, NOT increase it. Your body will think that it needs to store fat instead of burning it.

5. You should be wary of any diet plan that tells you exercise isn’t necessary. Getting your body moving is one of the best and most important ways to lose weight. The only exception to this rule is if you are starting your diet by fasting for more than two days before starting a diet program. Then you must “ease” into an exercise program. Paying attention to these tips on the best ways to lose weight will work for you if you commit to it.

6. Last but not least, fad diets usually do NOT provide a reminder to see your doctor. Always tell your doctor that you plan to start a new diet program.

So, I repeat: “The best ways to lose weight can be found in books on nutrition.” Read the labels on food packages. I am a big fan of organic. We must remove the toxins from our bodies. That means we must give up the white threat, which is all foods that are white (including beige) and all processed foods. You can do it! It will take some time to learn all the wonderful benefits of eating nutritious, whole foods, but before you know it, you’ll have lost weight and will be full of energy.