When it comes to weight loss, is it better to avoid the carbs or the fat?

In a study published in TIME.com, researchers asked 148 obese but healthy men and women to go on either a low-carb or a low-fat diet. Those who belonged to the former consumed 30 percent of their calories from carbs, while those who fell under the latter took 30 percent of their calories from fat. Over the course of the year, the participants were given similar advice and exercised at more or less the same rate.

After the study period, researchers found that while both groups lost weight, those who were on a low-carb diet lost eight more pounds in all. They also had more good HDL cholesterol. At the cost of a bit of rice, pasta, and bread, it's not such a bad deal at all!

(Photo by Simon Aughton via Flickr Creative Commons)