A common myth about diets and reducing body fat is that you have to pretty much starve yourself to get the results you’re after! How many diets have you tried that count calories, measure food and leave you feeling hungry with nothing to show for it – except feeling grumpy and tired with a headache? Your eating plan needs to be based around an "eat for fat loss" principle in order to provide the essentials to power your body’s fat burning capabilities. Knowing the right combination of foods and when to eat can put you on the right path to fat loss and hopefully feeling like a whole new you.

Kick start your morning with a meal that’s designed to fire up your metabolism. Oatmeal or rolled oats is one of the best breakfast foods around. It’s also filling and will keep your hunger subdued for hours.

However, be careful of instant oatmeal which can be loaded with sweeteners and preservatives, something that your body does not need. If you don’t like rolled oats – and prefer cold cereal try Kashi Go Lean Crunch. If you’re not into cereal how about 2-3 egg whites and one whole egg omelet with spinach – and a handful of blueberries.

Often by mid-morning you can feel yourself getting hungry again. And wondering what’s something fast and simple you can grab to get you through to lunch time. Go for a hard boiled egg and a pear, or a small serving of almonds and an apple, or organic cottage cheese and red pepper sticks. These will help eliminate the stomach growls and satisfy your hunger, allowing you to eat for fat loss, stimulating your metabolism.

A chicken breast and salad for lunch will give you the nutrition and protein to take you through the day. You may be of the mind set that these simple meals are not going to stop your hunger no matter how full you feel. But once you get into the swing of your new eating plan (and seeing the results) it won’t take long for you to understand just how effective your eating plan really is.

Try different varieties of greens in your salad, and add some tomatoes and baby carrots. Salsa works a treat on salads too. Spinach greens are packed full of vitamins and nutrients and a great way to add flavor, and a nice change or alternative, to an iceberg lettuce mix.

Don’t forget to drink plenty of water with each meal and throughout the day. Give sugary soft drinks the flick. Drinks and foods that advertise low fat, fat free, sugar free or low sugar do not necessarily mean that they are good for you. The best foods to eat for fat loss are whole, natural and unprocessed.

When mid-afternoon hits, go for a hard boiled egg and green pepper sticks or organic cottage cheese and an apple.

Dinner will arrive before you know it. Chicken breast, fish or lean beef with salad and mixed veggies will help round out your day.

For those days, when you feel like you need some extra carbs – for lunch or dinner try one whole-grain tortilla or a small serve of brown rice.

Remember, you cannot starve fat off of your body. Consuming low calorie diets will actually work AGAINST you reduce body fat, encouraging your body to store fat – not lose it. Aim for around 1500 calories or more, consisting of 5-6 nutritionally supportive meals per day. And remember to check with your doctor before you start any new eating or exercise plan.