SUMMARY

GOOD

BAD

EXPERT REVIEW

ADKINS DIET

Focus is on protein & fat with few carbs.

Lose weight quickly.

Fatigue is a common side effect.

Dr. Neal Barnard – can significantly raise cholesterol levels.

PERRICONE DIET

Eliminate inflammatory foods from diet.

Saves money due to substantial cut in food budget.

Prohibited from eating most foods, even grains.

Roberta Anding of ADA – not in line with results of nutritional science.

LA WEIGHT LOSS PLAN

Relies on support groups & its own line of snacks & supplements.

Support groups & counseling may help.

Products are expensive.

Milton Stokes of ADA – little clinical evidence that supplements are effective.

RAW FOOD DIET

75% of diet relies on raw fruits and vegetables. No processed foods allowed.

You get plenty of enzymes.

Restrictive & time consuming.

Dr. Oz – likes the plan & says it creates better digestion & energy levels.

BELLY FAT CURE

Emphasis on carbs & discourages exercise.

Experience weight loss at first.

Very few long-term effects. Restrictive. Contrary to science.

Dr. David Katz – misleading about insulin’s role during weight loss.

SUMMARY

GOOD

BAD

EXPERT REVIEW

BODY FOR LIFE

Snack on certain foods & intense daily workouts. Pushes own supplements.

Quick reduction in weight.

Difficult to continue. Long, hard workouts. Restrictive diet & expensive supplements.

Jim White of ADA – Overexertion during workouts possible. Diet very unbalanced.

NUTRI-SYSTEM

All foods are prepared & delivered.

Nothing to prepare or cook.

Foods are expensive & may not suit your taste.

Suzanne Farrell of ADA – no instruction to help keep weight off.

JENNY CRAIG

Pre-packaged food, group support.

Nothing to plan or cook. Support is a good choice for some.

Food is expensive & you may not like it.

Journal of AMA – published positive clinical results of the plan.

DIET SOLUTION

Focuses on “metabolic type” diets.

Healthy foods are used in the diet.

Diet is restrictive & not based on sound nutritional science.

Katherine Tallmadge of ADA – advice is unscientific & dangerous.

SKINNY VEGAN

Emphasis on a vegan diet to lose weight & save animals.

Diet is rich in fresh fruits & vegetables.

Insufficient protein & iron which could result in anemia.

Dawn Jackson-Blatner, RD of ADA – unbalanced nutritionally & lacks expert guidance.

SUMMARY

GOOD

BAD

EXPERT REVIEW

SLIM FAST PLAN

Drink their product in lieu of 2 daily meals. Allows 1 meal & 2 snacks.

Good plan for those on the go. Shakes taste good & are fairly inexpensive.

Drinking shakes can become old. Snacks & meal can be difficult to decide on.

Sheah Rarbeck of U. of Miami Miller School of Medicine – no guesswork on controlling portions.

THE ZONE

Focuses on carbs & not calories. Divides a meal’s carbs, fats & proteins equally.

Not hard to follow. Provides fairly good nutrition.

Scientific claims not backed by study. Some people may get too much fats or proteins.

Bonnie LIebman of Center for Science in the Public Interest – diet is ok, but not scientifically sound.

BIGGEST LOSER DIET

Daily exercise, small meals & no white flour.

Good nutrition. Weekly drop of 2-4 lbs if you maintain the diet.

Need a great deal of self-discipline & endure lengthy workouts.

Devin Alexander, Chef & BL Cookbook Author – making healthy choices is key.

VOLUMETRICS

Fill up on water-filled, low-calorie foods.

Diet high in fresh fruits & vegetables. You can eat your fill of selected foods.

May end up eating constantly to stay full.

Rachel Brandeis of ADA – diet is based on healthy, sound foods.

NEW SOUTH BEACH

Lose weight by eating foods low in glycerin that maintains insulin levels.

Sound nutrition. Plan has added more fruits.

Too restrictive for many. Lacks sufficient fruits & grains.

Dawn Jackson Blatner, RD of ADA – plan offers good exercise & nutritious foods.

SUMMARY

GOOD

BAD

EXPERT REVIEW

EAT CLEAN DIET

Focuses on eating foods in their natural to near-natural state. No processed foods allowed.

Large variety of allowable, healthy foods. Easily adaptable to most recipes.

Some people may feel too restricted.

Roberta Anding, MS, RD – fairly healthy meals. Plan ignores need for supplements.

BEST LIFE DIET

Based on intelligent choices, regular exercise & positive lifestyle change.

Scientifically sound. Practical to follow.

Consistent weight reduction of 1-3 lbs per week.

Oprah followed this diet personally & recommends it.

MAYO CLINIC DIET

Based on balanced nutrition & low-glycerin foods.

Very doable & realistic goals. Nice range of foods allowed.

No sweets allowed.

Ruth Frechman, RD of ADA – nutritious & easy to follow.

WEIGHT WATCHERS

Diet guidelines are well balanced & healthy. Offers support both in groups & online.

Tried & true support system which encourages lifestyle change to keep weight off.

Point system may be difficult to understand. Those who don’t like support may not benefit.

Rachel Gans of ADA – better diet & point system makes weight loss for the long term easier to achieve.

YOU – ON A DIET

Focuses on lifestyle changes. Incorporates exercise, balanced nutrition & vitamins.

Based on sound science. Unrestrictive. Easy to follow.

Works only for the long term. Takes a commitment to change one’s habits.

Elisa Zied of ADA – understandable science & the diet is actually fun.