Fad diets work for permanent weight loss.

The popular diets advertised on television and in weight-loss books are not necessarily the best way to lose weight and keep it off. Most fad diets promise that you will lose a lot of weight quickly, or tell you to leave out certain foods from your diet to lose weight. While you may lose weight initially because you are eating less, these diets can be unhealthy because they keep you from getting all of the nutrients your body needs.

Research suggests that losing 1/2 - 2 pounds per week by eating better and exercising more is the best way to lose weight and keep it off.

Low-fat or no fat means no calories.

Most fruits and vegetables are naturally low in fat and calories. Other foods whose labels claim that they are low-fat or nonfat may still have a lot of calories, because manufacturers often add sugar, flour or starch to make them taste better. These additives still have calories and cause some low-fat or nonfat products to have about the same or more calories than that of their counterparts that have more fat.