Free Online Diets

From LoveToKnow Diet

If you'd like to lose weight and need guidance but are strapped for cash, free online diets just may be the answer. The truth is, dieting doesn't have to be expensive. You really don't have to have a costly membership or prepackaged food.

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Evaluating Online Diets

When you're desperate to lose weight, you can sometimes fall prey to unhealthy diet plans or unscrupulous business people. It's important to evaluate all supposedly free diet plans for both health and finances. Some diets tout free trials or free preliminary offers or something similar. Of course, they also ask for your credit card number to hold your place. Once the trial period or preliminary period has passed, you will be charged. In most cases, the charges repeat monthly or quarterly. These plans are fine if you want to pay for a diet plan. If, on the other hand, you really need a free plan, never, ever give out your credit card or banking information.

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Some Online Diets

We've looked around and evaluated several free online diets, and these appear to be healthy and legitimate. Please do your research, though. Remember to consult with your physician before starting any diet program. Also factor in your individual needs, health, likes, and dislikes before embarking on a plan. Money aside, it's important to find a diet plan that fits your needs. Although saving money is obviously important, if you can't stand the rules of the plan, the diet won't work for you... no matter how free it is!

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SparkPeople

SparkPeople.com is a reputable company that has been featured in the national media. Even better, it is 100 percent free and you will never be asked for a credit card number. The site is extremely well made and user friendly. The following tools are available to help members:

BMI calculator
Goal setter
SparkTeams (groups with similar goals, ages, sizes, or conditions who support each other through the weight loss journey)
Message boards
Personality and motivation quizzes (to help customize your plan)
Meal plans and recipes
Diet articles
Exercise tips and demos
Nutrition tracker
Calorie calculator
Fitness tracker

Unlike many diet programs, SparkDiet doesn't require you to eat certain foods. Instead, the diet teaches you to change your lifestyle, including your eating and exercise habits. By helping you set easy, attainable goals that slowly build up over time, SparkDiet leads you through a gradual process of making over your body and life. While it doesn't promise 10 pounds off in one week or 21 pounds in 21 days, it does help you deliver sustainable results. Since you're learning healthy habits along the way, you're much more likely to keep the weight off.

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FoodFit

Like SparkPeople, FoodFit.com focuses on healthy dietary changes rather than rapid weight loss through fad diets. The diet plan here was designed by the University of California, Davis Medical Center. Upon signing up for a free account, dieters answer a comprehensive quiz which covers such areas as age, activity level, and eating habits. This quiz is used to devise a customized diet plan. Diet plans focus on watching calories and fat intake while eating a healthy diet rich in nutritious foods such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, "good" fats, lowfat dairy, and lean protein. Members are also encouraged to lead an active life. Other features of the site include: