Dangerous Dieting: 10 Great Ways to Loose Weight

Exercise! Find a sport you like, walk to school, or take a bike ride a few times per week.

Drink milk, including fat-free or low-fat milk. (Many teens mistakenly think that milk has more calories than other drinks like soda. But a cup of skim milk has only 80 calories as well as protein and calcium. A can of soda has 150 calories of sugar and no other nutrients at all.)

Eat a variety of foods, including plenty — at least five servings a day – of fruits and veggies. Remember that potato chips don’t count!

Drink plenty of water (at least four to six 8-ounce glasses a day).

Eat lean, high-protein foods, like lean meat, chicken, fish, or beans.

Eat grains, which provide fiber, B vitamins, and iron.

Eat breakfast. Studies show that people who eat breakfast do better in school and tend to eat less throughout the day and are less likely to be overweight.

Choose smaller portions at fast food restaurants

Watch out for excessive caffeine — it doesn’t help you lose weight and can cause dehydration. Many soft drinks contain caffeine, so check the label.

Stay away from fad diets — even if you lose 5 pounds, you’ll just gain it back when you go back to your usual way of eating.