Groups advises dieters to 'eat more'

WILMINGTON, Del., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Many U.S. adults make New Year's resolutions to shed pounds, but one group dedicated to better health advises dieters to eat more.

"Dieting is not the answer," said Elizabeth Pivonka, president and chief executive officer of Produce for Better Health Foundation. "Eating more of the things that are good for us and less of those that are not has always been and will always be a better solution."

PBH commissioned a study by NPD Foodworld Research that found a long-term decline in consumption of side dishes -- healthy foods such as salads, steamed vegetables, potatoes or fruit cups.

"If all you do is pop a frozen meal into the microwave -- even one designed for one of today's popular diets -- you lose out on the healthy variety of fruits and vegetables that are necessary for a balanced diet," said Pivonka, a registered dietician.

"Adding a healthy side dish to the dinner table, while decreasing portion size of foods that are high in calories and low in nutrients, can have a significant impact on weight loss."