Focus on choosing healthy foods

The Mayo Clinic Diet makes healthy eating easy by teaching you how to estimate portion sizes and plan meals. The program doesn't require you to be precise about counting calories. Instead, you'll eat tasty foods that will satisfy you and help you lose weight.

Mayo Clinic experts designed the Mayo Clinic Healthy Weight Pyramid to help you eat foods that are filling but low in calories. Each of the food groups in the pyramid emphasizes health-promoting choices. The pyramid encourages you to eat virtually unlimited amounts of vegetables and fruits because of their beneficial effects on both weight and health.

The main message is simple: Eat most of your food from the groups at the base of the pyramid and less from the top — and move more.