We all remember the acclaimed Atkins diet. Tons of stars were raving about it circa 2001. The no carb plan still has plenty of devotees, but it really isn’t the healthiest way to slim down.

Besides, fad diets don’t work in the long run. The real secret to staying thin involves making lifestyle changes, not extreme dieting. A lot of celebs, such as Pamela Anderson and Carrier Underwood, have found success by becoming vegetarians. Cutting out meat probably sounds like a nightmare at first. No cheeseburgers? Swap the ground beef for a veggie patty and you’re good to go. See? That wasn’t so hard. Major dietary changes should be done gradually, so try to slowly wean yourself off of meat. The easiest way to start is with breakfast. Morning meats, such as bacon and sausage, are loaded with fat, calories, and salt. There are plenty of ways to jump start the day with lean proteins. Dairy products, including yogurt and milk, have protein in them. Fuel up on a bowl of cereal with skim milk, a small container of yogurt, and some fresh fruit. Never skip breakfast because that won’t help you shed pounds. Once you get used to a meatless breakfast, start looking for tasty meatless lunches. There’s no need to confine yourself to salads. Try veggie subs, veggie burritos, meat alternative deli slices, or spice things up with some falafel. Pretty soon you won’t miss meat anymore, and you definitely won’t regret dropping a size or two!