When trying to lose weight, the most common question is “Which diet is best?” Although dieters come from many backgrounds and types, the ultimate goal is the same: to lose weight quickly with little effort. People are confused about what diets actually mean and how to shape your body, as we continue to be bombarded with diet comparisons in magazines and online. The increasing number of overweight people has made weight loss a highly profitable industry with an ever-expanding market. It seems that anyone can be a “diet expert” if they have a trendy diet and a flair in marketing. This is despite not having any professional knowledge about dieting.

Many Diets

There are many diets. We will be focusing on the most popular diets as a review of all current diets would take over a year. The Atkins Diet is one of the most popular (and profitable) diets in our diet comparison. The Atkins diet is a popular choice for those who haven’t tried it in the last 10 years. This diet has a large following, with many articles claiming amazing results. Pros: This diet allows high-fat dairy products like butter and cheese. The cons: Despite the amazing results, doctors believe that the methods used actually increase the risk for heart disease. The Bottom Line: There are still many questions about the scientific foundations of this diet.

The Zone Diet: Another well-known diet program, the Zone Diet was created by Barry Sears. It focuses on eating the right “mix” of food. Pros: According to the “Zone”, your body can use calories throughout the day without storing fat, provided you maintain your hormone balance. Cons: This diet strongly discourages certain food categories that don’t have a scientific basis. Starchy vegetables, whole grains, and beans are all off limits, but they don’t contradict the diet’s principles. The bottom line: The American Heart Association says that the Zone lacks essential nutrients but promotes protein-rich foods.

Take Note

• Jenny Craig: Jenny Craig is the most popular diet, and has been around since the 1980’s. This makes Jenny Craig a great choice for any diet comparison. The main benefit of this diet is that you can eliminate chores such as shopping, cooking, and choosing recipes. The cons: Jenny Craig meals can be expensive, at up to $100 per week, including membership fees. Prepackaged Jenny Craig meals do not include vegetables or fruits. Similar low-calorie foods can be purchased at any grocery store. You don’t even need to be a Jenny Craig “expert”. The bottom line: If you have the budget and can stick to it, this diet is very effective.
• South Beach: The South Beach diet is the ideal choice for carb-haters. It hails from sunny Florida and boasts the right idea, but the wrong approach. The cons: The first phase, which eliminates most carb-containing foods from your daily diet, only lasts for two weeks. As long as you’re trying to lose weight, the diet requires you to eliminate or minimize “bad” carbohydrates (including whole grains and fruits). There are no other options if you get tired of eating the same foods repeatedly. Bottom line: While many people have succeeded in losing weight on South Beach it is not common for dieters to make major changes in their eating habits and lifestyles to sustain long-term success.
• Weight Watchers: WeightWatchers provides a series of steps that will help dieters to manage their weight loss. The pros: This program gives you all the information you need and can help you lose weight. There are support groups for weight watchers where you can meet other dieters who are going through similar struggles. Cons: Weight Watchers can seem overwhelming if you are worried about the constant pressure of “calorie counting” and the need to keep track of calories. Bottom line: This program is suitable for people who are goal-oriented and self-motivated. However, if you are not able to focus on details and are not able to keep your eyes on the big picture, then this may not be the right diet for you. There are many diets out there, and we’ve only scratched the surface. If you are considering trying a new diet, make sure to listen to the experiences of others who have tried it. Also, read the comments made by doctors. You will find a balance between die-crazed advocates and those who want to prove it’s a scam. The truth is likely somewhere in the middle. Pay attention to the comments of doctors, especially if they have a list of potential health risks or people who have pre-existing conditions.