Diet Products

Diet products run the gamut from meal replacement shakes to weight loss patches. An internet search for “diet products” brings up more than three million results. Dieters are investing billions of dollars into this industry. However, some of these items are more effective and safe than others.

Meal Replacements

Nutrition bars, shakes and packaged meals are convenient and provide appropriate calorie and nutrient amounts. Often times, dieters choose meal replacement products as a quick and easy way to eat what may not have been a balanced meal without it.

Bars

Diet bars come in a variety of flavors and textures. Although some bars are best considered as a snack, some are hefty enough to be considered a full meal. Look for a bar with a balanced amount of protein, carbohydrate and fat. A bar with more than 30 grams of carbohydrate can lead a dieter into sweet cravings and hence more calories. Fat grams should be mostly unsaturated with no more than 10% of the total calories coming from saturated fats.

Shakes

Diet shakes, whether prepared or in powder form, can be an effective tool for dieters. One caveat, as with the bars, is the idea of a shake for a meal. Some individuals will not be satisfied with a shake for lunch. They tend to feel deprived of real food and may consume larger portions at their next meal. A solution would be adding low-calorie food like a piece of fruit or some vegetables to be eaten along with the shake. Food allergy sufferers should read the labels closely for dyes or preservatives that may cause an allergic reaction as many shake products contain them.

Meals and Desserts

Prepackaged, often frozen, entrees and desserts offer the dieter with a low-calorie solution to challenging eating times. Many varieties are available today and taste preference will be the determining factor when purchasing. Read labels for sugar and sodium quantities, especially if you are diabetic or have high blood pressure. You can bulk up the meal by adding vegetables or fruit. If the idea of eating from a plastic tray is bothersome, use a real plate for the meal and your additional vegetable or fruit.

Diet Supplements and Patches

Dieters desperate for a quick and easy solution may consider taking a pill promoting weight loss success. If you choose to use supplements, be wary. Not all supplements are created the same and most are ineffective. It is best to research the brand, ingredient and clinical studies beforehand. Companies can make any claim on their product label, whether it has been proven or not. The best way to consider a supplement is remembering if a label sounds too good to be true, it most likely is.

Safety and quality are key concerns with supplements as well. Since there is no governing body overseeing the production of diet supplements, quality substances are not always used in the manufacturing process. Substandard amounts of active ingredients have been found in several supplements. In addition, lead, pesticides and toxic forms of some agents have been discovered during testing.

The diet patch is another weight loss product available to the public. As with diet supplements, conflicting and insufficient results have been found with its use. It is advisable to talk to your physician before using. Also, adverse interaction with prescription medicine is a possibility with the ingestion of certain herbs or large doses of vitamins and minerals.

Books and Tapes

Diet books, also available in audio form, are written for a wide audience. Books offer weight loss strategies, meal planning, cooking tips, recipes and behavior modification tools. There may be a motivational tone within the writing, often with a variety of quotes, anecdotes and testimonials to help the reader stay on course.

Low-carbohydrate, diabetic, macrobiotic, Mediterranean, vegetarian and popular weight loss programs, such as South Beach and Atkins, are just a few diet book categories. Shop your local bookstore or web site for the best book for your personality. An author with credentials in nutrition, medicine or science is a good choice. However, make sure the writing is understandable and approachable for you.