The  Volumetric Diet is really quite simple.  Devised by Nutritionist Barbara Rolls, PhD, the principle "rule" of the diet is to eat lots of low density foods with high water content.  You’ll feel full while taking in fewer calories, all without feeling "deprived" like traditional diets.

It all began by observing that participants who ate a salad or soup before a meal consumed less calories.  Now Rolls recommends eating lots of low density foods.  By filling up on non-starchy vegetables, fat free milk, broth, fruit with high water content, fiber, fish and lean protein, you’ll be taking in fewer calories without feeling deprived.  Most importantly, you won’t shut down your metabolism in the process.

Start incorporating Volumetric Dieting into your day by eating a salad or a cup of soup before your regular meal.  I tried this  last night and found just eating a cup of chicken broth really cut down on the quantity of food I ate for "dinner".

This dieting trick works because lettuce has very few calories so you’ll be filling up with this low calorie food instead of the higher calorie "main course" fare.  Just be sure if you’re eating a salad that you don’t overload your salad with extra calories from dressings, bacon bits, cheeses and the like.