Weight Loss & Diet Plans

Want to Cut Calories? Just Add Water

Sound, But No Magic Bullet

Dietitian Elisabetta Politi, RD, says the principles behind the Penn State eating plan are sound, but she adds that the approach does not appear to be a magic bullet for weight loss.

"Unfortunately, the foods that we are exposed to tend to be very calorie-dense," she says. "So while this approach works well in a controlled situation, it is not as easy to follow in the real world where the temptations are so great."

Rolls agrees, adding that the food industry is a big target of her latest research.

"Small changes in energy density and/or portion size can add up to big changes in the long run for consumers," she says. "People are going to eat the portions that are put in front of them. But we showed that you can make foods healthier and reduce calories and the changes won't be noticed."