Diet Comparisons

Probably the most important things people want t0 know when they think the time has come (again) t0 cut some 0f the daily food intake is which diet is the best. Although we are all different beings, we all share the same goal: a diet that can make us thin in no time at all. Some sort 0f miracle pill 0r eating plan that makes fat go away and never ever return. That’s actually the second part 0f the big wish: how t0 make sure that all the weight lost through dieting stays lost through the years.

The more diets published in magazines and 0n the Internet, the more people are confused about what dieting really means and about the right way 0f bringing your body back in shape. The growing number 0f overweight people has turned weight loss into an industry like never before and the market is growing every year. It seems that nowadays all one needs is a fashionable idea and a flair f0r marketing in order t0 make a lot 0f money 0r garner a lot 0f popularity by proposing some sort 0f weird diet, despite the lack 0f professional expertise in this field.

And there is a LOT 0f diets out there. We’re going t0 go here only through the best-known diets, since a review 0f all the diets floating around the industry would be beyond the scope 0f this article.

So let’s start with one 0f the latest fads 0f the dieting world: the Atkins diet. Pretty much everybody’s head 0f the Atkins diet, largely due t0 the flood 0f articles praising the extraordinary results, not t0 mention the loads 0f good mail from satisfied customers. The biggest thing in favor 0f this diet is that it lets you eat high fat dairy products like cheese and butter. However, the Atkins diet has fallen from its lofty perch over suspicions 0f increasing the risk 0f heart diseases, not t0 mention the proved fact that bigger number 0f followers complain 0f diarrhea, weakness, muscle cramps and rashes. The debate over the scientific fundamentals 0f this diet is still raging.

Next comes the Zone diet; another well-known eating plan. This diet is the brainchild 0f Barry Sears and it’s all about eating the right mix 0f foods in order t0 reach the proper hormonal balance. This state 0f balance, which is called the “Zone”, lets the body take in calories and use them through the day without putting anything aside as fat. Unfortunately, this diet does some serious discrimination among foods without any scientific basis. Starchy vegetables, whole grains and beans are banned, although these foods are not in conflict with the principles 0f the diet. The American Heart Association says the Zone diet lacks essential nutrients while promoting high-protein foods.

The Jenny Craig diet is next 0n the list. One 0f the longest running diets, Jenny Craig started this business in the early 1980s and it’s still around. The basic idea 0f this diet is a trade off: you don’t have t0 choose recipes, do the shopping and the cooking, but you have t0 buy the Jenny Craig prepackaged food. And that runs t0 some $100 per week. Plus the membership costs. Plus the vegetables and fruits which are not included in the prepackaged food. If you can afford it and if you can stick t0 it, the diet is pretty good. However, similar low-calorie foods can be bought at the grocery store and you don’t have t0 discuss this with a Jenny Craig expert that insists 0n your eating the prepackaged food because he gets a percentage 0f the sale price.

From sunny Florida comes the South Beach diet. This one has the right idea and wrong approach combination down pat. Don’t get me wrong, a lot 0f people have managed t0 lose weight with this diet and it actually works. But the question is: can you really stick t0 it? The first phase 0f the diet will eliminate most foods containing carbohydrates from your daily consumption. Fortunately, this phase lasts two weeks. Unfortunately, second phase focuses 0n a half-hearted return 0f whole grains and fruits and lasts… as long as necessary. If reaching the desired weight takes you one year, then that’s exactly how long this phase is going t0 last. And if you don’t like the foods allowed by this diet then you’re out 0f luck. There are no alternatives.

And yet another veteran dieting program around is Weight Watchers. This is actually one 0f the best diets around because it puts all the management tools in the hands 0f the user. If you are really committed t0 losing weight, you have all the information you need t0 do it. And a lot 0f people who are going through the same thing are going t0 be there t0 help you. If having company during difficult times helps your willpower, then you are probably going t0 lose all that extra weight. If, 0n the other hand, you don’t like the idea 0f being constantly under peer pressure, then this diet is not f0r you.

As you can see from this short review, there are a lot 0f diets out there, dozens more than we’ve been able t0 cover here. The best thing t0 do when choosing a diet is t0 do as much research about it as possible. See what people who tried it have t0 say. Then see what doctors and dietitians have t0 say about it. Between those singing praises and those trying t0 prove the diet wrong you can probably get the truth yourself. Still, pay special attention t0 what the doctors have t0 say. If they tell you a certain diet will put your body t0 risk then think twice before trying it.