Given the high rate of obesity in the United States, it's not surprising that many people are searching for an effective diet plan. However, dieting information is seemingly everywhere, and different diets each promise success. It can be challenging and overwhelming to determine which diet meal plan is right for you. But comparing diet plans does not have to be complicated and confusing. Before you begin your next diet, follow these guidelines for assessing whether a meal plan is healthy, appropriate and likely to be successful.
Step 1
Check for balanced meals from the basic food groups. Any good diet plan will include fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and low-fat dairy in its meals and snacks. The Mayo Clinic advises that if a diet plan omits entire food groups or instructs you to eat excessive quantities of one or two specific foods, it is likely to lead to nutritional problems, so avoid any plan that seems extreme.
Step 2
Evaluate the speed of promised weight loss. Fad diets often advertise super-quick weight loss. This may sound enticing, but it is unhealthy and unsustainable in the long-term. Diet plans that allow for a loss of about 1 lb. per week are best, says the American Dietetic Association, because their slow and steady pace prevents you from losing muscle and water along with fat and is least likely result in eventual weight regain.
Step 3
Check for foods you like, and the flexibility to substitute one food for another if you don't like the recommended item or it is not available. A diet plan that instructs you to consume meals and snacks you do not enjoy, or that is so rigid that you are unable to switch out some foods for others, will likely frustrate you quite quickly. Look for a diet meal plan that fits into your life and is compatible with your personal tastes.
Step 4
Be sure the diet plan includes physical activity. A diet meal plan is not healthy or helpful if it does not include recommendations for exercise. Regular exercise will burn calories, build muscle, increase your metabolism and contribute to overall health.
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