If that sweet tooth is holding you back from losing a few pounds, you may be able to give into your cravings for dessert - especially ice cream - and still lose the weight you want. That's what The Ice Cream Diet from Prevention is designed to do, a diet that helps you shed a few pounds by indulging in your favorite dessert. Whether you're a fan of vanilla or Rocky Road, you may not have to give up your favorite treat in order to lose weight.

Is The Ice Cream Diet simply too good to be true, or can you really have that cone and still stay slim? If you've been looking for a new food plan that doesn't require sacrificing your favorite dessert, here's what you need to know about The Ice Cream Diet :

How the Ice Cream Diet Works

Most people don't believe that you can lose weight by eating ice cream, but it's important to remember that ice cream is simply a combination of milk, cream, fat and sugar. Eating small portions on a daily basis won't lead to weight gain as most people assume - ½ cup of plain, vanilla ice cream typically contains under 150 calories and less than 6 grams of fat.

According to authors of The Ice Cream Diet, dieters who keep their calories within the 1,500 - 2,000 range can lose weight when the nutritional counts of ice cream are factored into their daily intake. The increased calcium in the diet can also help many people who have previously struggled with losing weight, finally get rid of excess body fat because calcium may be linked to breaking down fat more quickly. (Source: The Ice Cream Diet p.15).

How to Lose Weight with The Ice Cream Diet

Although the name of the program sounds enticing, it's not a license to eat ice cream all day or as a meal. The Ice Cream diet simply makes ice cream a ‘non-forbidden' food, so you can enjoy dessert as long as it's counted in your daily intake. Instead of overeating or bingeing on ice cream, you will need to eat smaller portions of your favorite treat and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

So what does the ‘healthy lifestyle' look like? Making sure you eat enough healthy, well balanced meals throughout the day is a necessary part of your weight loss process. Whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, and lean protein are all foods that can be added to your weekly menu with ease.

Making sure you stay physically active is another part of getting down the pounds; exercising at least 30 - 60 minutes per day can keep your metabolism in good shape, and can also help you lose weight more easily.

Finally, understanding why you want to lose weight in the first place can help you stay motivated to keep up the commitment with your new lifestyle. If you are considerably overweight, losing weight could improve your health and lower your risk of heart disease, diabetes and even premature death.

Bottom Line: If can't imagine giving up ice cream in order to lose weight, The Ice Cream Diet may be a valuable diet plan to help you reach your goals. By allowing ice cream into your daily diet, you can enjoy your favorite food without the guilt. As long as you maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating well-balanced meals and engaging in physical activities throughout the week, you may be able to lose weight - with your favorite sundae in hand.