Hummus graces the table at just about every potluck gathering. The creamy blend of chick peas, sesame paste, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and seasonings pleases crowds when served alongside veggies, pita chips or as a sandwich topping.

Eating breakfast is important, even when you’re trying to lose weight. Whether you eat three meals daily or graze every few hours throughout the day, you’ll lose weight by reducing your daily calorie intake, according to a study published in the May 2012 issue of the journal “Obesity.

You're on the right track if you plan to lose weight by eating mainly fruits, vegetables and lean proteins for the next month. Fad diets won't provide you with the weight-loss results you want; instead, you need to make permanent changes in what you eat to lose weight and keep it off.

Phosphorus is a mineral that is very important to the body. It is used for carbohydrate and fat utilization. It helps synthesize protein and, most importantly, helps form teeth and bones.

“The Maker's Diet” is the title of a book written by Jordan Rubin. In this book, the author recounts the story of how he became ill in college and regained his health following a diet consistent with biblical Old Testament principles.

Intermittent fasting is an effective weight-loss tool used by many people. It is an excellent weight-loss tool for people who have trouble with portion control or who battle self-discipline.

Because your overall calorie intake and expenditure predicts whether or not you’ll lose weight, eating a cup of spinach daily can help with -- but doesn’t guarantee -- successful weight loss.

Your body relies on a number of vitamins to work at its best, including vitamin B-12. When you do not get enough vitamin B-12 in your diet, you can experience adverse effects, ranging from pernicious anemia to fatigue, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements.

Maintaining a trim waistline is all about your diet. By sticking to the right nutritional plan, you will keep your metabolism high and burn body fat. Remember that what you eat is just as important as how much you eat. Choosing the right foods will help you take weight off your midsection, and keep it off.

Eating a low-calorie diet is critical for weight loss and weight management. One way to stay on track is to count calories. Today Show contributor Joy Bauer warns dieters that even a few tablespoons of high-calorie condiments, like salad dressings and mayonnaise sabotage calorie-conscious eaters.

You can eat fresh tomatoes and cucumbers on their own, but you can also eat them together in a salad for a snack or light side dish. A tomato and cucumber salad can be rich in essential nutrients, such as potassium and vitamin C, and some kinds of tomato and cucumber salad can also help you lose weight.

Coconut oil may provide you with a fast, healthy method of losing weight that does not require dangerous medications or expensive diet programs.