In a May, 2012 article, ABC News reported that there were 108 million people on diets in the United States, and the weight loss industry in the country has an annual revenue of $20 billion. This might come as no surprise to people who go to gyms year round and notice the drastic increase of people there after the Christmas and New Year’s holidays are over. But though there are all kinds of resources available to help people with their diets, people fail more often than not, and dieters typically make four to five attempts per year. While there is not one plan that will work for everyone, eating right is always a must. Fortunately, there is lots of cooking help and online cooking advice and tips available to make that easier.

Cook Veggies Quickly

Eating your greens is always important, especially when it comes to dieting and losing weight, but cooking them improperly or for too long could cause them to lose some of their nutritional value. Steaming or stir-frying veggies is the best way to make sure that they remain as healthy as possible. And, of course, avoid adding too much butter and salt, even if they do add a nice flavor.

Plan Ahead

One of the problems that people run into when it comes to dieting is that, simply, they don’t always have time to cook healthy meals. In order to avoid that, you should cook a little bit extra when you prepare one so that you have something to eat later on. For instance, grilling a bunch of healthy chicken breasts on Sunday is a great way to prepare for an entire week.

Watch Out for Dairy

Any good online cooking help list should include mention of cutting dairy products to reduce fat and caloric intake. Getting rid of milk products altogether might be tough, but refraining from putting cheese on a sandwich or a bowl of ice cream for desert can make a big difference. And, simply switching to one percent or skim milk can also help cut calories.

Have a Smoothie

Fruit smoothies are a great alternative to unhealthy deserts for anyone who has a problem managing their sweet tooth. Simply blending some orange juice, a banana, and a handful of berries with a light yogurt makes for a great breakfast, powerful lunch, or even a healthy snack. So smoothies can be a great tool for any dieter.

Whether someone is trying to get in shape for an upcoming marathon or just wanting to lose a few excess pounds to look better in a swim suit, cooking and eating right is a must. While there are far more bits of cooking help online and even in food magazines, these four can make a big difference. Using them consistently can help anyone reach their weight loss goals.