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You don’t have to give up treats like ice cream and pizza. Here’s how they can help you stay trim.

If you’ve been avoiding burgers, ice cream, and pizza thinking you’re doing your waistline a favor, don’t. They can actually help you lose weight—and keep it off, too. Here are the hidden slim-down perks of five foods that get a bad rap and the best way to add each one back into your diet.

Red meat
Even burgers and meatballs can be light fare if you make them with ground sirloin, says Bonnie Gluck, MS, RD, a clinical dietitian at New York Methodist Hospital in New York City. “Lean red meat—lean being the operative word—is a great choice for women who are trying to shed pounds,” she says. “It’s an excellent source of protein. And protein takes longer to digest, helping you feel full and cutting the likelihood that you’ll snack later on.”
 

A study of 100 women from Australian researchers found that overweight women who ate reduced-calorie diets rich in protein from red meat and dairy lost more weight than those whose reduced-calorie plans had little meat and more carbs. “Protein can reduce hunger,” says study author Manny Noakes, PhD, associate professor with the Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organization (Australia’s national science agency) in Adelaide. And being less hungry while you’re trying to lose weight can prevent overeating.

Best way to enjoy it: Choose ground beef labeled “97 percent lean” or “extralean,” which means it has less than five grams of fat per serving. Want steak? Get lower-fat cuts from the loin, like sirloin tip, T-bone, or strip steak, Gluck says.

Watch out for: Beef that’s labeled Prime. “It’s very high in fat,” Gluck says. Buy cuts graded Choice; the meat has less fat and still tastes good. And remember to limit your portion size, no matter how lean the meat. “Many restaurants will serve an eight-ounce steak or burger, which means you’re getting twice the amount you actually need,” says Dave Grotto, RD, author of 101 Foods That Could Save Your Life. Stick to a three-ounce serving (roughly the size of a deck of cards).

Ice cream
Good news for ice cream lovers: A recent Swedish study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that women who have at least one serving of full-fat dairy products a day gain less weight than women who don’t. Researchers aren’t entirely sure why, but it’s believed that a compound in milk fat called conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) may aid weight loss.
 

Not all studies support the dairy-aids-weight-loss claim. But Gluck feels there’s more evidence for than against, even if full-fat dairy’s secret is simply that it’s more satisfying. “Many women find that low-fat versions of dairy products like ice cream and cheese just aren’t satisfying,” she says, “so they may eat a lot of them—downing hundreds of calories in the process, trying to fulfill their craving—when just a little bit of the full-fat stuff would have done the trick.”

Best way to enjoy it: Have a little cheese, ice cream, or a glass of milk each day. “You really can’t go wrong with that,” Gluck says. “Dairy should be part of your diet, whether you’re trying to shed pounds or not. You need the calcium to maintain strong bones. And the vitamin D and CLA in milk both have cancer-fighting properties.”

Watch out for: Additional oil and fat. Avoid any pie that’s deep-dish (that means the crust is cooked in oil) or loaded with sausage and pepperoni, Gluck says. And while a bit of cheese is fine, a whole lot is not. Skip the extra cheese.

Canadian bacon

Unlike a regular strip of crispy pork fat, Canadian bacon—which comes from the loin, one of the leanest parts of the pig—is a dieter’s best friend, with a third less fat than regular bacon. If that isn’t reason enough to put Canadian bacon on your plate, a recent study from Purdue University shows that women who eat a diet rich in lean pork and other protein keep more lean body mass during weight loss than women who eat a low-calorie diet with little pork and other protein sources. An added bonus: Women who eat meals rich in protein from pork report that they feel satisfied, in spite of the fact that they are on reduced-calorie diets, and say they’re happier overall.

Best way to enjoy it: Have some anytime. “Add Canadian or turkey bacon, another light pick, to scrambled eggs, or use some in a bacon-lettuce-and-tomato sandwich on whole-wheat bread with reduced-fat mayo,” Grotto says. You can chop it into strips and use it for a protein boost on salad, too.

Watch out for: Hidden fat. Some restaurants fry Canadian bacon on the griddle in oil. Before you order, request that it be cooked without oil or heated in the oven