Diet Programs

Diet programs come in all shapes and sizes. Many have been around for decades, such as Weight Watchers, while others are hot off the press as of this year, such as the Sonoma Diet. The trick is to find the plan that meets your needs the best to help you shed those extra pounds. The following information is sure to assist you in choosing the plan for you.

Types of Diet Programs

Diet Centers: These establishments are found in nearly every crook and cranny across the country and abroad. Diet programs such as Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, and L.A. Weight Loss fall into this category. If you need one on one support and motivation, a diet center may be right for you. While Weight Watchers offers group meetings, Jenny Craig and L.A. Weight Loss are strictly structured on individual counseling sessions. An outline, various literature, and program products are available at the diet center.

Diet Books: The Atkins Diet, The South Beach Diet, The Sonoma Diet, and The Mediterranean Diet are just a few of the diet programs found in book format. For the person who is a self-starter and highly self-motivated, a written diet plan may be all that is needed. Many of the diet books are also offered in audio tape and/or DVD format. You will probably find an online chat room or forum group specific to the plan you wish to follow. In this case, a scant amount of motivation and support may be available.

Online Diets: Nearly every diet program can be found in some type of online version. In addition, there are plans that are only offered online, such as eDiets. By simply logging on, you not only can purchase the entire diet program, but you have access to message boards, chat rooms, question and answer pages, a food diary, an exercise log, a product catalog, and more. For the computer savvy and time-crunched individual, an online weight loss plan may be a perfect fit.

Best Plans

In order for diet program to be a healthy, safe strategy, yet also successful, it must meet a few criteria. Here is a list of a few questions to ask when choosing a diet plan:

1. Is it realistic to follow on a daily basis for your lifestyle?
2. Does it provide safe guidelines for a one to two pound weight loss result per week?
3. Does the plan account for at least 1200 calories each day in food intake?
4. Does the program provide testimonials that it works?
5. Is there adequate support available for you, if needed?
6. Is it reasonably priced?
7. Can you receive a refund on any portion of enrollment or product purchases if you find the diet program is not right for you after all?
8. Do you know anyone that has experienced the program and can speak highly it?
9. Are you eating real food, such as lean protein, vegetables, fruits, grains, and healthy fats?
10. Is exercise encouraged as part of the diet plan?
11. Is there flexibility within the plan to allow for extras such as desserts?

If you can answer yes to most of the above questions, then the plan is most likely healthy and safe to follow.

Red Flags

If, however, any of following criterion of the program are found within the guidelines, it is probably best to skip that particular diet program:

• rapid weight loss

• quick and easy

• guaranteed weight loss (more than two pounds per week)

• special pills or formulas are necessary to purchase

• food groups are omitted or only a few foods are permitted to be eaten

Summary

In a nutshell, if the weight loss plan sounds too good to be true, it most likely is just that. The most successful diet programs will offer a realistic plan with realistic results, sound advice, motivation, behavior modification techniques in some form, recipes and nutrition information, and encourage physical activity. Most importantly, the prescribed food intake will be adequate enough, at least 1200 calories each and every day, to provide your body with the energy it needs on a daily basis and keep you satisfied.