When it comes to a gold standard in health care, the Mayo Clinic has a reputation second to none. That sterling credibility extends to their website, which is chock-full of helpful health advice, especially concerning weight loss. Going beyond the standard symptoms-and-treatment options format, however, mayoclinic.com devotes a good half of its pages to the prevention of obesity and disease, through risk assessments and a full spectrum of healthy living information. Online quizzes, easy-to-read formats, videos and podcasts guarantee that the material is easily understood.

For serious dieters, Mayoclinic.com offers the standard Body Mass Index and calorie calculators that you’ll find on most health- and fitness-related websites. It doesn’t stop there, however, the site also has calculators that allow you to determine your risk of heart disease, diabetes, depression and prostate problems, your level of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, your target heart rate during exercise, and even your pregnancy due date. If you’re still not fully motivated after perusing these, a number of self-assessment online quizzes are included, which allow you to gauge everything from your drinking habits to your ability to cope with stress.

A really nice feature is the Mayo Clinic’s Healthy Weight Pyramid tool, which allows you to receive specific advice based on your age, weight, gender and health status. This section includes a number of easy-to-digest articles that teach about nutrition, metabolism, and different strategies for weight loss. Special attention is paid to the emotional side of obesity, with articles and podcasts that focus specifically on how to overcome the emotional, social and psychological barriers to weight loss, and how to build a positive support network.

If you prefer to have materials in hand, rather than online, a Mayo Clinic bookstore offers affordably priced guides such as “Mayo Clinic Healthy Weight for Everybody.” “If anything comes close to a ‘real’ Mayo Clinic diet, it would be the healthy eating principles in this book,” notes its editor, Dr. Donald D. Hensrud. The book’s 12-week, step-by-step eating plan includes full menus and shopping lists, plus advice about exercise and overcoming specific obstacles, such as snacking late at night. Here you won’t find any bragging about losing 10 pounds in 10 days, but rather a realistic plan for making permanent healthy lifestyle changes.

A key benefit to this site is the access to Mayo Clinic medical experts through “Ask a Specialist” columns, plus a free weekly online newsletter, “Housecall.” A Disease and Condition Center contains information about managing virtually every type of common medical problem, including the nutritional aspects. Other helpful information on the mayoclinic.com website includes a symptom checker, a first-aid guide and tips on handling medical emergencies. Also, the site coordinates 15 different Healthy Living Centers, which cover specific topics including men’s, women’s, senior’s, children’s, infants’ and teens’ specific health concerns, plus issues like sleep problems, stress management, fitness, nutrition, pregnancy and working life. Alternative medicines aren’t ignored – a special category outlines complementary and alternative medicines, encompassing everything from acupuncture to yogurt. If it pertains to your health, your weight or even your happiness, you’re going to find top-of-the-line advice here.