It seems like every week there’s a new fad diet that all the celebrities are trying. They always seem to lose tons of weight instantly without any harsh side effects. However, we all know that the world of dieting is not at all like that; it’s usually painful and frustrating. We’ve all been there, begging for a cookie only 14 hours after swearing you were only going to eat salads for a month. Dieting is no easy feat, but here are three diets that are relatively easy to maintain.
Disclaimer: these diets are not meant to be long-term nutrition plans. They should be only be used for losing a few pounds, and should be combined with exercise.
Weight Watchers
We’ve all seen the commercials, but what is Weight Watchers really all about? It’s based off of a point system that takes into account not only a food’s calories. but also its nutritional value. Weight Watchers has proved to be very effective in weight loss. In fact, it was named the number one diet for weight loss and the number two best overall diet by U.S. News & World Report. Weight Watchers can work for people of any age and size because the points system can be tailored to any individual.
Pros:
- You can eat whatever you like; no foods are off limits.
- You can shape your own diet by using your points to eat certain foods and not others.
- You can check a food’s point value online or on your phone.
Cons:
- You have to keep track of points.
- You may end up spending more money on food in order to make healthier choices.
The Dukan Diet
The Dukan Diet was developed in France by Dr. Pierre Dukan. It claims to have helped more than five million people lose weight in France. Celebrities linked to it include Jennifer Lopez, Gisele Bündchen and even Kate Middleton. It is a high-protein, low-carb diet made up of four phases, which slowly reintroduce carbs into the diet. The Dukan Diet boasts that dieters may eat as much as they want as long as the food is “allowed” under the diet.
Pros:
- You lose weight fast, especially during the first two phases.
- You can eat as much as you want.
- You will keep the weight off (according to the diet’s claims)
Cons:
- You are limiting yourself of many types of foods.
- You may experience side effects including bad breath, dry mouth and fatigue
The Volumetrics Eating Plan
Volumetrics is based 0n the theory that people eat the same weight of food each day. Thus, followers of this plan fill their plates with foods that are less energy-dense (have fewer calories per gram). This diet is high in fruits and veggies while foods like chips are discouraged. It was ranked the fifth best overall diet and fourth best diet for weight loss by U.S. News & World Report.
Pros:
- You can fill your stomach with this diet.
- You don’t exclude entire food groups and may be more likely to stick to it.
Cons:
- You will experience a lengthy meal preparation on this diet.
- If you don’t like fruits, vegetables or soup, it may not be for you.
- You may find it complicated to “decipher a food’s energy density.”
These diets are all effective for quick weight loss; however, they can be hard to follow in the long run and some low-carb diets are not recommended for extended periods of time. In the long run, opt for a balanced diet and for plenty of exercise.
Lastly, here’s a little something to make you feel better about those days that you just can’t help but have a cookie or two (or three…).
Sources:
http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/dukan-diet-review
http://health.usnews.com/best-diet
http://www.dukandiet.com/
http://www.cosmopolitan.com/advice/health/the-dukan-diet-kate-middleton-weight-loss
http://www.volumetricseatingplan.com/index.html
http://www.weightwatchers.com/index.aspx
Scale (photo): Blogspot, http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HTD4CddNO2o/TZ49cnznSbI/AAAAAAAAABE/wjZAIai_oUo/s1600/scale.jpg
Salmon meal (photo): 1800dietplan, http://www.1800dietplan.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/low-carb-diet1.jpg
Fruits (photo): Blogspot, http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TdOJayS8eIM/TB-sP7AdnQI/AAAAAAAACPk/abuIObOcMVk/s1600/healthy+food.jpg