Nutrition experts say diets don't have to be miserable

In the quest to lose weight, some dieters may find that the transition from processed meals to fresh, healthy eating makes them cranky or irritable. Nutrition experts say that while this is normal, it isn't a requirement.

Eating a meal that contains fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein is essential, said Caroline Apovian, the director of Boston Medical Center's Nutrition and Weight Management Center.

She told ABC News that diets based on only one food group can make one's blood sugar swing up and down wildly.

The director added that the omega-3s in lean protein are good for the brain and can help keep glumness and depression at bay.

While it can be difficult to wean off fats and salts, doctors say it is largely for the best. A recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine estimated that reducing each American's daily salt intake by three grams would save up to $24 billion per year in healthcare costs.

The news channel added that portioning out meals, planning them ahead of time and eating as much produce as possible at each meal can help dieters lose the weight that they want to.

Substituting produce for fattening foods is one of the most effective ways to improve dietary health, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.