That's Fit

Most nutritionists will tell you that the safest, healthiest way to lose weight is a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and plenty of fiber. But many people aren't ready to give up the foods they love, and they depend on diet foods to have their cake and eat it too. Sugar-free foods, pre-portioned snacks, and diet dinners are all very popular with people who are struggling to lose weight.

But do these heavily processed foods really aide weight loss? The jury seems to still be out, according to this article from MSNBC. Diet soda drinkers, for instance, are usually heavier than people who don't drink soda at all. And those 100-calorie snack packs are great, as long as you can stick to one pack. Frozen diet dinners, such as Lean Cuisine, get a thumbs up for veggie content and perfectly sized portions, but are loaded with sodium.

I think it's a matter of personal preference and also a matter of balance. If you're eating sugar-free Jello all day long, you'll probably lose weight, but you won't be getting the vitamins and antioxidants you need in your diet. On the other hand, if you have a raging sweet tooth and fruit isn't cutting it, a 100-calorie pack of cookies is better than eating a whole box. What do you think? Do processed diet foods have their place in a healthy menu?