Inclusion Criteria:  Age: 18 -25 years Enrolled as full-time college students Have a BMI ≥ 30 Willing and able to give informed consent Willing to follow either dietary intervention assigned to them upon randomization. Able to come in for all assessment visits.  Exclusion Criteria:  Participants who are currently diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, liver or kidney disease, cancer Current severe psychiatric illnesses (e.g. psychosis, schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, depression Current suicidal ideation, and recent or past suicide attempts History of psychiatric hospitalization (past year). History of diagnosed eating disorders such as bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa and severe binge eating disorder. History of diagnosed substance abuse or alcohol abuse. Currently on any weight loss diet. Having lost in the past 3 months 10% or more of body weight. Unwilling or unable to give informed consent.