More than 45 million Americans diet at some point during each year. The Centers for Disease Control states that, "A healthy diet and lifestyle are the best weapons you have to fight heart disease." Part of a healthy lifestyle rests with managing diet and food portions. While federal health agencies and non-profits devoted to fitness and health provide free diets and sample menus, commercial companies offer alternative programs to manage weight.
Nutrisystem
Nutrisystem is a packaged diet program that asks dieters to set a weight loss goal and select pre-packaged meals for the three basic meals, as well as one dessert item from the system menu. The dieter receives meals at home every 28 days. Special instructional material allows dieters to combine prepared meals with grocery items to meet diet goals. Healthy snacking on fruits and vegetables is encouraged throughout the day. The program states dieters "can expect to lose at least 1 to 2 lbs per week."
Jenny Craig
The Jenny Craig weight loss system asks dieters to make sensible lifestyle changes to reduce weight and keep it off. Dieters establish healthy goals for weight loss and the program consultant develops a diet plan of three meals and no more than three snacks a day. The nutritional focus features high fiber, low fat and reduced salt dieting. The program also incorporates fresh fruit and vegetables into snacking and meal preparation. Jenny Craig participants need not attend any meetings. Personal consultants are available to dieters via the internet, by telephone or in person, for participants preferring the in-person approach to counseling.
Weight Watchers
Weight Watchers is one of the oldest commercial diet programs in the United States. The program advertises weight loss of up to two pounds every week. The plan requires the dieter to count points that are assigned to various foods, attend nutrition education courses, and exercise. Weight Watchers requires attendance at group meetings, which are offered throughout the United States. An online self-directed program is also offered by the company. Cookbooks endorsed by Weight Watchers, as well as prepared meals sold in major grocery chains, offer options for dieters on the plan to cook at home or to prepare frozen entrees and snacks. An initiation fee is required with additional payments required for each week of membership.
Volumetrics
Volumetrics is a diet system outlined in Barbara J. Rolls' book, "Volumetrics: Feel Full on Fewer Calories" published in 1999. The basis of the weight-loss program is eating high-volume, but low-calorie foods. A detailed menu and list of exercises and recommended activities are offered by Rolls. Low-fat dairy foods, skinless chicken, whole grains, fresh fruits and various types of beans are featured diet foods. The emphasis is on food selections, such as lettuce salads, that make dieters feel full for longer periods. Substitutions also lower the calories in traditional menu options. Traditional macaroni and cheese, for instance, made with whole-wheat pasta, reduced-fat cheese, non-fat milk reduce calories, and with the Volumetric suggestion of added vegetables, provides volume to the meal. The diet investment for this program is the cost of the book.
Member Comments