Are there any effective rapid weight loss diets? Most nutritionists agree that any ultra low-calorie diets (that is, anything less than 1000 calories) can affect your body in a negative way. There are ways to help jump start weight loss, however:

1. Eat fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

In general, unprocessed and natural foods require more energy to digest and/or leave you feeling satisfied quicker. This will help your body increase metabolism and reduce caloric intake. Avoid refined grains such as rice and white bread.

2. Eat fiber.

Fiber helps you feel full faster, longer. The effect is obvious - you eat less. Any doctor worth his/her salt will tell you the most effective way to lose weight is to use more calories than you consume; think of fiber as a healthy, easy way to satisfy your hunger while dieting.

3. Cut back on sugar.

You can think of sugar as the reverse of fiber - it doesn't make you feel full, and the insulin spike and crash that it causes will make you crave even more sugar. This is potentially an endless cycle, so it's best to stay away from soda/pop, donuts, and other sugar-laden sweets.

4. Drink plenty of water.

Water is actually one of the most effective ways to lose weight. Doctors point out that it's not about drinking lots of water, but enough to keep your body constantly hydrated - about 6-8 glasses a day. When you avoid dehydration, you increase your metabolic rate and suppress appetite - which slows weight gain.

5. Exercise

Yeah, this is the part we all hate - thankfully, you only need a moderate level of exertion to burn fat. In fact, all you want to do is just break a sweat while jogging or walking - anymore will shift your body into stamina training, instead of fat burning mode. Another bonus - exercising regularly keeps your body in a fat burning mode even when you're not exercising.