This week the New England Journal of Medicine published a two-year in-depth study (Download NEJM_CalorieReductionForWeightLoss as a PDF file) comparing different weight-loss diets and confirmed the common-sense conclusion that I -- like many of you -- already suspected:
The key to losing weight is calorie reduction!
Danielle Dalheim, RD, a Nutrition Scientist at Frito-Lay, helped me better understand the study. Its purpose was to determine whether overweight people have improved weight loss on diets that emphasize different levels and combinations of macronutrients -- protein, fat or carbohydrates. The study included four reduced-calorie diets that ranged from low-fat/high-carb to high-fat/low-carb diets.
"The study shows that first and foremost, weight loss is achieved through calorie reduction and that macronutrient content does not play a significant role," Danielle says. "Secondly, the study confirms that all foods can fit into a healthy reduced-calorie diet, and that total calories and behavior are the key factors in achieving and maintaining weight loss."
Frito-Lay offers a wide variety of snacks that can be part of any healthier lifestyle, including those geared to weight loss/maintenance.
One option for people looking to control calories is our line of 100-calorie packs -- our most popular brands in convenient portion packaging -- such as Doritos, Baked! Cheetos, Cheetos Asteroids and SunChips, and we'll be re-launching the Fritos 100-calorie pack in March.
I think this study confirms what many of us suspected all along -- there is no magic diet. It might take a little old fashioned willpower to reduce calorie consumption and to exercise more, but worth it if you can keep eating the foods you love.
We agree wholeheartedly. We're sorry to find that Totstios Light chips have been discontinued. They were great snacks, and were a good way to retain taste but significantly reduce calories. Please bring them back! :)
Posted by: Michael Holthus | March 03, 2009 at 02:27 AM
Re: Michael; I agree with the study wholeheartedly - I love to snack but also make sure I keep my calories in check. I was a fan of the Tostitos Light too, and will pass your feedback on to our consumer response team. In the meantime, you might try the Baked! Tostitos Scoops. I've been eating those as a great substitute for the Light. Thanks for your comment, and happy snacking!
Posted by: Kristin | March 03, 2009 at 07:13 AM
My favorite is Lays Orignal Lite chips - they're delicious & to me taste just like regular Lays chips - Also, 20 of them are just one point on WW.
Posted by: Maggie | March 05, 2009 at 09:09 AM
I really like the idea of reduced calorie potato chips, now if the regular chips with sea salt and black pepper came that way it would be great.
Posted by: Diana Buzick | May 31, 2009 at 04:54 PM
I really miss the tostito light chips too. Sure wish they would bring them back.. Christine R.
Posted by: Christine Rundle | March 31, 2010 at 11:34 AM