Diet & Health

How to eat more 'active' calories

By Alison Johnson

All calories are not created equal. Some require more energy to digest, giving you "a bigger bang for your buck," says Leslie Bonci, registered dietitian, director of sports medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and an author of the upcoming book "The Active Calorie Diet."

Some tips:

Eat plenty of low-fat protein. Digesting these foods requires the most calorie burn. Just keep choices healthy: lean meats, eggs and low-fat dairy products, for example, not fatty cheeseburgers.

Focus on fiber. Fiber-rich foods place second on the active calorie scale. Load up fresh vegetables and fruits _ with the skin on _ beans, bran cereals and whole-wheat products, including breads.