Most of us grew up hearing about how fat was so bad for us, leading to a trend of low fat diets. Low fat diets are grounded in the idea that eating low fat will result in you taking in fewer calories, resulting in weight loss. This idea is based on studies linking consumption of certain types of fats with particular health issues.

High fat foods are high calorie foods, which is why (in theory) eating low fat should help you lose weight. Unfortunately, not all low fat foods are low calorie foods, and some high fat foods are actually very good for you. Take for example a Cosmopolitan, which contains no fat, but packs a lot of calories because it is high in sugar.

Low fat diets work if people are disciplined enough to eat low fat foods that are high in fiber and low in sugar. As long as you can eat low fat foods that won’t trigger an insulin rush (result of eating high sugar foods), you may find yourself limiting calories and losing weight. High carb foods do not satisfy your hunger for long, and they also create cravings for more high carb foods, creating a cycle of eating more and more to satiate your cravings. Also, this diet plan ignores the need for portion control, when really, the body can only handle so much fuel before it starts storing it as fat.

The healthy solution? Eat plenty of protein, fiber, and complex carbs, choosing unsaturated fats over saturated fats, and choosing complex carbs over simple carbs. You might want to start with a low fat diet, but add in small amounts of salmon, nuts, olive oil, tuna, and avocados, all of which are packed with healthy fats.

A healthy weight loss plan focuses on calorie and portion control, healthy food choices, and exercise. If you do choose a low fat diet plan, stay away from high sugar items, and emphasize high protein and high fiber foods.

http://www.public-domain-image.com/cache/food-and-drink-public-domain-images-pictures/cocktail-public-domain-images-pictures/shrimp-cocktail-lemons-lettuce-seafood_w725_h544.jpg Spring is here, so take advantage of the fresh motivation to eat low-cal, healthy foods.

Shrimp cocktail isn’t just for parties. Sure, you have to pay a little more for good jumbo shrimp, but the indulgence and healthfulness of the dish makes it all worth it. Choose between premade or homemade cocktail sauce (both are easy), but whatever you do, choose the low-sugar sauce with lots of horseradish. The spicy sauce will make you feel like you’ve really eaten something worth remembering, and the shrimp is high in protein but low in calories, which will keep you satisfied.

Zip up some zucchini. Slice your zucchini thin, and chop up a clove of garlic, a bit of fresh basil, and a Roma tomato. Drizzle a teensy bit of olive oil in your skillet and sauté the garlic, tomato, and zucchini just until al dente. Finish it off with about a half lemon’s worth of lemon juice. The garlic, basil, and lemon will mingle to create a tangy flavor that carries the zucchini and tomato to a new level.

Imagine yourself a Greek goddess as you make this Greek salad. The key to this salad is to spread the ingredients with the strongest flavors throughout the dish, making it possible to use less of them. Mince half of a clove of garlic and three whole (but pitted) kalamata olives. Combine garlic and olives with a tablespoon each of vinegar and olive oil to make a dressing. Fix a bowl of your favorite low-cal veggies such as zucchini, summer squash, celery, cucumbers, and greens, and then drizzle the dressing and toss. Grind fresh black pepper over the top, and add a sprinkle of strongly flavored cheese of your choice.

Keep yourself thin by collecting low cal recipes that work for you.