Foods for casual dieters

There are a number of ways to drop some pounds, many of which require a change to your current diet. We know that extreme, crash diets don't work, so avoiding them altogether is a smart move. That leaves the more sensible approach: eating foods that are lower in calories, fat, and simple carbs.

This can either mean a dramatic change to what your current food intake consists of, or it can be a more subtle effort. The former usually involves eating skinless chicken breast, healthy fish, copious amounts of vegetables, and so on. Clearly, this is the healthiest and most effective way to get the job done. But, not everyone wants to deviate from their current diets to this degree. The latter, however, requires that a person change their current diet slightly, but enough to make consistent, noticeable change to their health. Will it work as fast as the more hardcore approach? Probably not. But will you stick to it? Most people will.

To help the casual dieter along, WebMD has compiled a list of the 17 Best Foods For Dieters. Nowhere on this list will you find measured portions of buckwheat or protein supplement shakes. Instead, what you'll find are a list of lower-calorie and lower-fat options of foods you may already be eating. Over time, this reduction in calories and fat will help you get closer and closer to your goal weight.