Strict low-calorie diets have gotten a bad name over the years. However, there are those medical experts who maintain that you should go low. Dr. Ron Rosedale, one of the leading authorities in metabolism, says that studies show a strict diet low in calories helps achieve a sleek body and a longer life. Dr. Rosedale has found a way for dieters to accomplish this without feeling deprived. When you feel full, you're less likely overeat, thereby reducing calorie intake. 

The Rosedale Diet gets to the heart of good health by controlling leptin, the hormone that tells the brain when to eat, how much to eat and when to stop eating.

Ironically, leptin is produced by fat cells. The goal is to keep leptin levels low enough to inform the body that you have consumed enough food. The body is then alerted to burn fat. Lowering your level of leptin is as simple as following a diet high in good fats and low in starch and sugar.

In addition to weight loss, patients abiding by the principles of the Rosedale Diet also reported favorable results in treating diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, arthritis and osteoporosis.

A balance of lean protein, fiber-rich carbohydrates and good fats, the 21-day plan avoids promoting too much protein or too many carbohydrates. Foods are divided into an “A” list (the best possible food choices), “B” list (foods to be eaten in moderation) and a “C” list (foods to be avoided). Initially, you'll eat from the “A” list made up of avocados, nuts, olives, lobster, fish, crab, shrimp, goat cheese, Cornish game hen, venison and other health-promoting foods. You'll add foods from the “B” list gradually: steak, lamb chops, fruits, beans and more.  The off-limit foods from the “C” list include milk, full-fat hard cheeses, hot dogs, fried foods, corn, commercially processed oils and other obesity-promoting foods.