Popular Diet Plans

There's no shortage of diet plans on the market, and weeding through all the popular weight-loss programs out there can be a bit overwhelming to say the least. The key to finding the best diet plan for you is to focus on those that fit best within your current lifestyle and follow most of the recommendations spelled out in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Basically, the meal plan should consist of well-balanced, nutritious meals consisting of vegetables, whole grains, fruits, low-fat dairy and lean protein sources.

The Facts

Not all popular diet plans are created equal--some may help you lose weight while others do not. There are several types of popular diet plans out there, but not all of them may be ideal for you. For this reason, the Mayo Clinic recommends that the first step you should do when choosing a diet plan is to involve your doctor in the process. Your doctor can help you make an informed decision based on your current and past medical conditions as well as the types of medications you're taking.

Types

The Mayo Clinic lists several types of popular diet plans on the market, each of which takes a slightly different approach to weight loss and/or healthy eating. These diets include fad diets, low-glycemic index programs, low-carb diets, low-fat diets, very low-calorie plans, prepackaged and delivered meals and lifestyle-change eating programs. Not every type of popular diet plan has been proven to work in the long term; in fact, the Mayo Clinic points out that most commercial diet programs work in the short term, but most people gain the weight back in time.

Considerations

There are several considerations that you need to ponder when choosing a healthy diet plan. You need to determine what the diet plan consists of and whether or not that will fit within your current lifestyle. Also, be sure that the diet program has been backed by scientific research and is supported by reputable health organizations, such as the U.S. Department of Health or American Dietetic Association. Finally, weigh the risks and rewards of the diet plan. Be sure it is worth the investment required to get started or maintain membership within the program.

Popular Diet Programs

With so many diet programs available, it can sometimes be overwhelming to choose the one that's right for you. The health editors at "Good Housekeeping" have put together a list of the best and most popular diet program websites as of 2010. These programs include the South Beach Diet, Diet.com, DukeDiet.com, Nutrisystem and Weight Watchers. According to "Good Housekeeping," each of these diet plans includes well-balanced, nutritious meal plans.

Warning

Choosing a diet plan based exclusively on its overall popularity is not recommended. Not all diet plans are the right choice for everyone. For instance, a low-glycemic index diet plan may be the ideal choice for someone looking to control his diabetes while a vegetarian diet plan may fit better within someone else's lifestyle--it's a decision that you should make with your doctor, nutritionist or dietitian at your side.