Types of Diet Plans

One size does not fit all when it comes to following a diet plan. Luckily, there are different plans for you to choose from based on your schedule, weight loss goals and medical conditions. When you understand the parameters of the diet plan you wish to follow, you will be more likely to have success and meet your goals. Remember, you will see results faster when your diet is combined with regular physical activity.

Exchange Lists

Exchange lists take meal planning a step further by holding you accountable for meeting certain dietary requirements with foods of your choice. Exchange lists are categories of foods such as fruit or grains with portions outlined to tell you how much you can eat of various foods with the same amount of calories, carbohydrates, protein and other nutrients. For example, your exchange list may be based on 1,500 calories daily that might include 6 starches, 3 fruits, 4 proteins and 5 vegetables---it is up to you to do the math to meet the required 1,500 calories. This plan is ideal for people who follow planned diets regularly as a result of a health issue such as diabetes or someone on a calorie-controlled diet plan. Exchange lists tend to be a more advanced way of dieting. If you are just beginning a diet, look to choose a more straight forward plan first.

Fixed Menu

A fixed menu diet lacks the variety of the exchange list diets. A fixed menu outlines all of the foods you can eat. It may also include a list of foods to avoid while following the plan. This diet may be easy because all of the foods are chosen for you; however, the lack of variety can make this plan hard to follow over time. Additionally, fixed menus do not require any thought from you on how to effectively select meals and make healthy changes. This may prove difficult when making healthy food choices after you finish the diet. Those with severe medical conditions or a significant amount of weight to lose can benefit from a structured fixed menu diet.

Portion Controlled

This diet type most often includes pre-made and pre-packaged meals delivered directly to your door. The foods are selected from a menu provided by a company and are designed to meet the dietary standards for the health guidelines to which that company ascribes---for example, such as meals designed around the gylcemic index for weight loss. This diet may be best if you have a busy schedule or no interest in counting calories, planning meals or grocery shopping regularly. Conversely, for those reasons this plan may also be a negative choice because you are less likely to learn to make changes that will last and you may not learn the fundamentals of consistent weight loss.

Meal Replacement

Meal replacement diets usually replace one or two meals---for example, breakfast and lunch---with a protein-packed, low calorie drink, soup or protein bar. Meal replacement products must, by law, provide the recommended amount of nutrients needed to maintain good health so some plans might suggest eating a fruit or vegetable with the replaced meal product---for example, blending strawberries in your protein shake. Meal replacements can be safe as long as they are used with other whole sources of food for other meals. Protein shakes, soup broth and protein bars cannot provide enough nutrients to sustain health long term and, therefore, should not be substituted for every meal while following this diet plan.