Recipe photo: Greg Dupree.

It’s that time of year again whentrending dietsrun amuck.

Contrary to what you may have heard in the past, these seven foods can help you get there.

a recipe photo of the Sheet Pan Sweet Potato Fajitas

Photo:Recipe photo: Greg Dupree. EatingWell design.

And you may be pleasantly surprised to see a few of these foods on the list.

But the good news is that the delicious avocado can and should be part of your healthy diet.

“The only downside is avocados don’t pack much protein,” says Shaw.

She suggests pairing avocados with protein sources like beans, lentils, eggs or hempseeds.

Other studies on walnuts, almonds, pistachios, pecans, cashews and more show similar results.

Nuts have a not-so-secret nutrient that makes them great for weight management: unsaturated fat.

If you prefer nut butter, opt for brands made with just nuts and salt.

Seeds

Seeds may be small, but they are mighty in the nutrition department.

Fruit

With the low-carb craze, fruit often gets a bad reputation.

For example, bananas contain resistant starch, which can help with weight control.

Whole Grains

Whole grains are another great source of fiber.

Dessert

You read that right: you might eat dessert and still meet your weight loss goals.

Avoiding dessert at all costs is a habit that is not sustainable and was born from diet culture.

This causes guilt, which then leads to more restriction and the cycle continues.

Instead, eat the dessert you love, enjoy it and move on without guilt.

The best dessert to choose for weight loss?

Well, that’s up to you.

Choose a small portion of something that is satisfying, eat it slowly and savor every last bite.

If you want more, you could always go back for it.

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