Although diets low in carbohydrates and high in protein continue to attract the public's attention, new research indicates "normal-weight" adults tend to eat more fiber and fruit than people who are overweight or obese.

In a study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, researchers at the University of Texas-Austin looked at dietary intakes of more than 100 people of generally the same age and height; half were considered normal weight and half were overweight or obese. The researchers found the diets of the two groups were similar in many ways, including intakes of sugar, bread, dairy products and vegetables.

The main difference between the groups: Normal-weight adults consume about 33 percent more dietary fiber and 43 percent more complex carbohydrates each day than people who are obese.

As the Texas researchers acknowledge, "no magic formula exists for weight loss." But this study appears to offer more evidence that consuming a balanced diet that includes an adequate amount of fiber from plant foods (25 grams to 38 grams per day for adults -- nearly twice the current national average) can benefit your health and weight.