Which popular diet plan is best for helping you drop the weight?
By Danielle Phaneuf
Diets. We’ve all fallen for them, whether it’s cutting out carbs, sipping on smoothies, or eating only cabbage soup or grapefruit for days on end.
Why do we keep falling for fad diet schemes? Well, for a few reasons. First, we have become a society that, despite increased obesity rates, has developed an ideal image of beauty that happens to be unrealistic and unattainable for the vast majority of us. This leaves us desperate to find a quick fix, or a way to get healthier, faster. Secondly, some diets actually do produce weight loss results. But whether these results are short or long term depends on what the diet consists of, how closely you follow it, and the duration of the plan.
Here are the facts and pros and cons of some of the more popular weight loss programs.
Dietitian Approved Diet Plans
Best life Diet (Revised and Updated)
This plan, which boasts four simple phases of change, uses widely accepted and researched strategies, including portion sizes, eliminating empty calories and increasing physical activity, to achieve and maintain lifelong weight loss. Calorie intake is customized and ranges from 1,200 to 2,500 per day, depending on gender and activity level.
Pros: Includes all food groups, incorporates physical activity and provides multiple meal plans and menus. Not designed for quick weight loss, more for lifelong healthy habits.
Cons: Not very structured, so someone looking for a rigid meal plan with specific do’s and don’ts may find it difficult to follow.
South Beach Diet Super Charged
Consists of three phases and claims to burn more calories and fat in less time than the older version of the diet, created in 2003. The plan suggests that followers eat three meals, two snacks, and one dessert item daily, totaling around 1,500 calories.
Pros: Offers four weeks of meal plans with recipes and encourages daily physical activity
Cons: Phase one restricts too many healthy foods, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. For healthier results, skip phase one and stick with phases two and three for more realistic and well-balanced meal plans.
Women’s Health Perfect Body Diet
This eight-week program consists of two meal plan options, with each containing five to six daily meals balanced in lean protein, fat and carbohydrates. The meal plan is easy to follow and provides 14 days of sample menus of around 1,600 calories each.
Pros: Followers feel less deprived when eating high fiber fruits and vegetables. Rich in antioxidants, fiber, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and mono/polyunsaturated fat. Specific exercise routines are demonstrated, making it easy for beginners to get started.
Cons: The diet promotes the use of a fiber supplement to increase satiety, which is neither proven to work, nor endorsed by the American Dietetic Association.
The 5 Factor Diet
This diet claims to have been created to shape Hollywood’s hottest celebrities by following a few simple guidelines and has been recently featured on many popular TV shows and in magazines. This five-week plan emphasizes eating five times per day, using five ingredients or less per meal.
Pros: Reduced calorie, well-balanced diet includes meal plans and recipes that won’t break the budget. Doesn’t promote any supplements or vitamins. Includes an essential exercise component.
Cons: It’s marketed as only a five-week plan, however, it could be followed for much longer.
Weight Watchers
This tried and true healthy lifestyle plan utilizes a personalized points system to help people learn about proper portion sizes, healthy food substitutions and well-balanced meal planning. The diet can be adopted for short term, or for life. It has the added benefit of providing over 1,500 recipes and offers clients exercise advice.
Pros: Uses real food that you already love and teaches you healthy eating skills for life. Has the option for in-person, or online support to help you achieve your goals. Meal plans are customized to your specific needs.
Cons: Requires membership fee, may not be best suited for someone unable to prepare their own meals and you must be motivated to keep track of your daily points.
Danielle Phaneuf RD, LD, is a registered, licensed dietitian working both in clinical and private practice. To contact Danielle, visit Optimizenutrition.net.
 Diet Plans to avoid!
Many fad diets can help you drop excess weight fast, but can be dangerous and can ruin your metabolism. End result? Re-gaining the weight, and then some! It’s best to avoid diet plans that over-restrict calorie intake, push too many herbal supplements or one specific product.
21 Pounds in 21 Days: The Martha's Vineyard Diet Detox
This low calorie liquid diet plan provides only 1,000 calories per day. Every two hours drink a designated liquid, which includes water, herbal tea, vegetable-based soup, a green drink made from vegetables, vegetable juice, or a berry drink.
Pros: Encourages the use of some fresh fruits and vegetables.
Cons: Lacks protein, fat, fiber, and is too low in calories. Also calls for coffee enemas and colonics, enzyme capsules, and herbal supplements.
The Clean Program
A pricey, 21-day diet designed to help “cleanse” your body. Followers drink two low-calorie rice-protein shakes, take herbal supplements and eat one small meal per day (1,100 calories per day).
Pros: Guaranteed, rapid weight loss. Program kit mailed to you.
Cons: You’ll likely be hungry while on this diet, and regaining the weight is probable. Some vitamin supplementation exceeds recommended amounts.
The Blueprint Cleanse
For $65 a day, sip on six pre-made tonics daily (ranging from 1,000 to 1,200 calories per day) for 3-5 days.
Pros: Promotes low-calorie, rapid weight loss.
Cons: Liquid diets can leave you feeling hungry. This diet is too low in calories, may result in headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and can slow down your metabolism.
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