11 Diet 'Rules' You Can Absolutely, Positively Break

Diet propaganda suggests that eating between meals is the root of all evil, but smart snacking can actually help you stay on track. It’s completely fine to have a bite between meals, as long as you do so responsibly.

While fatty foods like fries, shakes and cheeses are typically a no-go for weight loss, fats are—in fact—a crucial part of a healthy diet. Research suggests that healthy fats eaten in moderation can actually help your body absorb some of the nutrients found in fruits and vegetables. Bottom line: Steer clear of foods high in saturated fats and, instead, focus on healthy unsaturated mono, poly and omega 3 fats in foods like fish, nuts and avocado.

Ignore the low-carb gods when they tell you bread is off limits. The truth is, you can totally have bread! Just make sure it’s whole-grain (or flatbread). Unlike the easily digested refined carbs in white bread and pastries, the complex carbohydrates in whole-grain and flatbreads contain filling fibers to help you fight off hunger.

While you shouldn’t fixate on numbers when trying to lose weight, weighing yourself regularly can still be an effective way to stick to your weight loss goal. Always make sure you're looking at the number on the scale through the right lens. Use it to gauge if your long-term strategy is working without obsessing or letting it define your self-esteem.

Calorie-cutting can be an effective way to lose weight, but make sure you're nixing the right kinds. Contrary to popular belief, not all calories are the same. Studies have shown that calories from carbs such as white rice and sugar can have devastating effects on your metabolism and blood glucose levels and, if consumed in excess, can lead to significant weight gain. So, when cutting calories, replace high-sugar foods and refined carbs with fiber-rich and protein-rich options.

Many diets suggest avoiding eggs due to their high cholesterol content, but research has shown that dietary cholesterol from egg consumption has little effect on overall blood cholesterol levels. In fact, eating eggs in moderation can actually help boost high-density lipoprotein (HDL), the heart-healthy “good” cholesterol.

Quit running to the bathroom 10 times a day trying to keep up with this age-old myth and EAT your water instead. Roughly 20% of our daily H2O comes from solid foods high in water, such as melon, soups and lettuce.

Attention meat lovers: you don't have to give up the occasional hamburger when you're watching what you eat. Not only is it a great source of dietary protein, but red meat is beneficial for your hair, skin, and nails. Steer clear of “prime” red meat cuts that are high in artery-clogging saturated fat and opt for leaner “round” or “loin” options.

Don’t feel guilty about heading to the refrigerator for a midnight snack... that is, if you're actually hungry. Avoid late night trips to the kitchen motivated by boredom or even worse, binge-watching trashy television. If you are absolutely famished, feel free to eat after dinner, but reach for the pita chips and hummus instead of the ice cream.

Rather than follow the hard and fast rule of eating 7 servings of fruit and vegetables per day, try filling half your plate with either fruit, vegetables, or a combination of the two to help you get the nutrients you need.

Have your cake and eat it too. (Well, not exactly). Feel free to indulge in the sweet pleasures of dessert, but be sure to choose a low calorie option to satisfy your sweet tooth. Fiber One puts some of your favorite desserts back on your plate with 5 delicious flavors of 90 calorie treats from the classic chocolate fudge brownie to the tasty tart lemon bar. Check out all 5 flavors here!