diet

You don't have to adopt the extreme 1980's fad diet to enjoy the health benefits of grapefruit and watch your waistline shrink. Although this sweet and tangy fruit is mostly known by its diet reputation, it is actually loaded with health benefits (like lycopene and vitamin C) and is versatile enough to be enjoyed as a treat beyond breakfast. It's considered a fat-burning food that can kick-start your metabolism, so there is no reason to let this fruit be deemed an '80s has-been. Since it's currently in season, here are four reasons why grapefruit can help you lose weight.

1. Keeps you full: Grapefruit is loaded with fiber, keeping you full longer and reducing the likelihood of mindless snacking. One serving of grapefruit has only 53 calories and about 2 grams of fiber. Research has also found that eating half a grapefruit before every meal can lead to greater weight loss in dieters. While trying this at every meal may be a bit extreme, this tactic would work well for breakfast.
2. Low-calorie substitution: There are are several ways to enjoy grapefruit beyond breakfast. Consider substituting dried fruit for slices of grapefruit in salads or using it to serve up a satisfying dinner alongside jerk grilled chicken. You can even use it to satisfy your sweet tooth as a light dessert using this sabayon gratin recipe.
3. Stabilizes blood sugar: Study shows that this magic fruit has compounds that can reduce insulin levels. Low levels of insulin mean your body can more efficiently use food for energy rather than storing it as fat; a candy bar can't claim that.
4. Curbs cravings: There is something to be said about kick-starting your day with grapefruit. Studies show that the mere smell of grapefruit can aid in weight loss. Researchers speculate that sniffing grapefruit oil has effect on liver enzymes, which can help to nix cravings and spur weight loss. Time to consider those grapefruit-scented bath products!

Freshly minted author of Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? Mindy Kaling made an appearance on Conan last night, and she dished that her New Year's resolution was a new diet plan. Mindy's approach to losing weight in the new year is to stop eating by 4 p.m., which she admits can hinder any chance of a dating or evening social life. It's also been making her cranky in the morning, but the funny writer's assessment is that "if you look good enough, no one cares if you're really unpleasant." Watch the clip below!

Like years before, 2011 was chock-full of trendy diets that got everyone talking, as well as trying. So what were the top diets of 2011? Read on to find out!

HCG Diet
The HCG diet isn't new (it's been around for more than 50 years), but it's once again a phenomenon. This was the year that people flocked to doctor's offices to get a pricey hormone injection all in the name of weight loss. The diet's deal: eat a restricted calorie diet, usually 500 calories a day, and inject the HCG hormone (or use drops or lozenges) every day. The claim is that the HCG hormone, which occurs in pregnant women naturally and helps them burn fat to use to feed their babies, helps convert body fat to energy so you get all the adequate calories you need every day without feeling hungry, but experts warn that there aren't any studies that prove the safety and effectiveness of the diet.

Paleo Diet
Eat like your ancestors did — as in, the ones from a very long time ago. The Paleo diet is a meal plan based on the hunting and gathering instincts of cavemen. That means lots of free-range, grass-fed meat, fresh seafood, and vegetables, but no grains, dairy, legumes, refined sugars, and processed foods. The Paleo Diet's main focus is to improve your overall health, and many people who have been on it say it's cured their digestive conditions, such as IBS. Experts are split on whether or not it's an effective diet — especially since some very common foods, like dairy and grain, are forbidden.

Read on for more top diet trends of 2011.

As hard as losing weight can be, sometimes the battle begins again when you try to stay at your goal weight. A new study from the USDA shows that the secret may be in the way you think.

The study sought to find strategies that would help people maintain their weight in addition to dieting and exercising. After studying 926 people with BMIs 25 or higher (the marker for being overweight) who lost 10 percent or more of their total weight, researchers found that there are two main ways that help them successfully keep the pounds off. The secret? Remind yourself why you need to control your weight, and reward yourself for sticking to a diet and exercise plan. The people who followed these strategies were more apt to stay motivated after they lost weight.

Find out more about rewarding and reminding yourself to keep the pounds off after the break.

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Shape here on FitSugar.

After a week of spartan lunches, rigorous workouts, and sleep-depriving presentations, it's easy to feel you've earned a happy hour margarita and a plate of cheesy nachos. But topping off a tough week in this way can undo all your hard work and even pack on the pounds. According to a study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, women consume about 115 more calories on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday than they do on weekdays. "Those extra 300 to 400 calories can leave you nine pounds heavier by the year's end," says Barry Popkin, Ph.D., the study's lead author. Fortunately, when armed with the right advice, it's possible to avoid the most common dietary traps while savoring that delicious downtime. And you may even wake up on Monday a little slimmer. Not a bad way to start the week!

FRIDAY

Overdoing It at Happy Hour
Alcohol isn't only high in calories, it also diminishes resolve — making it harder to keep your hands out of the pretzel bowl.

Keep reading to see the solution to this and many more weekend dilemmas!