Luckily, there are a few easy ways to prevent starvation mode from interfering with a perfectly reasonable weight-loss plan. Increasing your protein intake can help your body preserve muscle, which stokes your metabolic furnace, to prevent huge dips in calorie-burning potential, says Lofton. Research in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that eating 25 to 30 grams of protein at every meal is key to preserving your muscles and metabolism when losing weight.
A regular strength-training routine can also help you maintain and build muscle as you lose weight. Because what good is weight loss if it comes with a crappy metabolism and regain?