As a nutritionist advising and supporting his clients on healthy eating and weight loss, I am regularly asked for the best weight loss advice as well as the best diet to follow. Almost every day I get asked about the latest diet “flavor” of the day, whether it’s a low carb diet, intermittent fasting, or a recent plan featuring the celebrity weight loss journey.

I’m not a fan of rigid diets, cookie-cutter plans, or programs that recommend omitting entire food groups, requiring special food concoctions, or only eating at certain times. Although some of these diets may work in the short term, they are unlikely to be realistic in the long term.

The best diet to follow is one that is sustainable over the long term and made up of a combination of healthy foods. When I use the word “diet,” I like to consider Merriam-Webster’s definition: “usual eating” as opposed to rigid restriction.

To help consumers choose a healthy diet, each January US News & World Report rates the best diets with input from a panel of health experts. As a panel member, I was happy to “weigh in” on the best — and worst — diets for a variety of conditions, from weight loss to heart health and diabetes. This information can guide you in choosing an eating plan that may work well for you.

Although motivation tends to be highest at the start of the year, it’s important to cultivate healthy habits that you can stick with throughout the year. While there really isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach, here I share seven sustainable weight loss tips that you can incorporate into the diet that works best for you.