Christy Brissette The Washington Post

Though we don't know enough about all the interactions between diet, hormones and weight loss to adjust them to promote rapid weight loss, we do know that certain ways of eating help keep our hormones in balance, which may support our weight-loss efforts.

One of the most prevalent fibre-boosting ingredients is inulin. Like any fibre, it can cause gas, bloating and abdominal pain if consumed too quickly or in large quantities.

Research suggests that stevia and monk fruit, the natural sugar substitutes, are safe for human consumption, though it's not clear that they lead to weight loss. There has been conflicting research, however, about the safety of artificial sweeteners.

Artificial sweeteners once offered a solution, but their popularity has dwindled among concerns that they don't help with weight management and could even cause weight gain, metabolic syndrome and high blood pressure with continual use.

Before you toss out your vitamin D supplements, consider how much you're getting from your daily diet and how much unprotected sunlight you're getting each day.

There is debate about whether taking your vitamins in the morning or at night is best. The theory goes that because you're getting nutrients throughout the day from food, having your nutrition supplements at night helps your body get some nutrition as you sleep.

Consumers are craving more plant-based foods for their health and a desire to help the environment, but not everyone wants to go vegetarian or vegan. That's why working plant-based ingredients into animal-based dishes is a trend to watch.

Depending on your energy needs and what you are eating the rest of the time, your snacks may need to be smaller or larger.

Carb cycling is a nutrition strategy in which you alter the amount of carbohydrates you eat on a daily, weekly or monthly basis to maximize sports performance and to build muscle and lose fat and weight.

Are you getting enough choline? Chances are, this nutrient isn't even on your radar.

Though we don't know enough about all the interactions between diet, hormones and weight loss to adjust them to promote rapid weight loss, we do know that certain ways of eating help keep our hormones in balance, which may support our weight-loss efforts.

One of the most prevalent fibre-boosting ingredients is inulin. Like any fibre, it can cause gas, bloating and abdominal pain if consumed too quickly or in large quantities.

Research suggests that stevia and monk fruit, the natural sugar substitutes, are safe for human consumption, though it's not clear that they lead to weight loss. There has been conflicting research, however, about the safety of artificial sweeteners.

Artificial sweeteners once offered a solution, but their popularity has dwindled among concerns that they don't help with weight management and could even cause weight gain, metabolic syndrome and high blood pressure with continual use.

Before you toss out your vitamin D supplements, consider how much you're getting from your daily diet and how much unprotected sunlight you're getting each day.

There is debate about whether taking your vitamins in the morning or at night is best. The theory goes that because you're getting nutrients throughout the day from food, having your nutrition supplements at night helps your body get some nutrition as you sleep.

Consumers are craving more plant-based foods for their health and a desire to help the environment, but not everyone wants to go vegetarian or vegan. That's why working plant-based ingredients into animal-based dishes is a trend to watch.

Depending on your energy needs and what you are eating the rest of the time, your snacks may need to be smaller or larger.

Carb cycling is a nutrition strategy in which you alter the amount of carbohydrates you eat on a daily, weekly or monthly basis to maximize sports performance and to build muscle and lose fat and weight.

Are you getting enough choline? Chances are, this nutrient isn't even on your radar.