In a first-of-its-kind study designed to tease out the most effective behavioral strategies for reducing caloric intake, scientists uncovered some valuable weight loss wisdom. The evaluation was based on data from 123 overweight, adult women who were assigned to one of two arms of a controlled 12-month weight loss study. After monitoring a wide range of eating-related behaviors, the researchers identified three specific practices that were consistently associated with greater weight loss. (Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, July 2012)

1. Consistently maintaining a food journal. Women who did lost 6 more pounds than those who did not.
2. Eating at regular intervals and not skipping meals. Those that skipped meals lost 8 fewer pounds.
3. Not going out to lunch. Women who dined out for lunch once or more a week lost 5 fewer pounds than those who ate out less often.

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