Remember, a good eating plan does more than just help you lose weight. It's the foundation of a healthy lifestyle that will keep you fit, healthy and feeling great for life. Using the food pyramid is a great way to create a balanced diet.

Weight Loss Programs
If you are considering a program that advertises weight loss, here are some characteristics of safe programs:

• It should encourage you to check with your physician or health care provider before starting.

• It should be offered by professionals: a registered dietitian, an exercise specialist or a qualified expert in behavior change.

• It will not misrepresent sales people as counselors.

• It should help you evaluate if you are ready to make the long-term changes that are necessary to sustain permanent weight loss.

• It should help you choose foods and activities that fit into your lifestyle.

• It should be one that you can live with for the rest of your life.

• It should include maintenance suggestions and support.

• It should encourage you to set reasonable and achievable goals that are consistent with good health and wellness.

• It should recommend a rate of weight loss of no more than 1-2 pounds per week.

• It should focus on a healthy, well-balanced diet that does not exclude one or more of the food groups.

• It should stress a three-pronged approach: healthy eating, physical activity and behavior modification.