Which Diet to Follow?

Answering the question of which diet to follow is high individualized. However, even within your preferences and needs, there are ways you can analyze each diet you consider to determine if the diet is healthy, effective and sustainable. Whether you are looking for a diet for weight-loss, or seeking to improve the healthiness of your current diet, remember that the food choices you make can have a positive impact on your health.

Meets Dietary Guidelines

The "2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans" published by the US Department of Agriculture provides a healthy framework for weight-loss and weight maintenance diets. The guidelines suggest that the average man or woman eat whole grains over refined, low-fat, low-calorie dairy, fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables, lower fat proteins such as beans or poultry and mainly olive oil or other sources of monounsaturated fats. If losing weight, the balance of carbohydrates, proteins and fats matters less than creating a calorie deficit as reported in a February 2009 study published in the "New England Journal of Medicine."

Easy to Understand

Complicated diets are difficult to follow and you may find yourself quickly losing interest in staying atop of complex food combinations, weighing, counting and measuring every food you eat or trying to avoid certain food groups. A good diet is one that enables you to live your life normally, while still eating healthy foods. You may find it easier to follow a diet that recommends eating five to six servings of fruits and vegetables, five servings of whole grains, four to six servings of dairy and three servings of meats as opposed to a diet requiring counting each calorie, fat or protein gram.

Recommends a Lifestyle Change

You cannot follow an eating plan in isolation from the rest of your life. Even if you stay focused on cutting calories as recommended by your chosen diet plan, you need to consider a diet that recommends a total lifestyle change. You do not need to be a marathon runner or expert swimmer to add effective aerobic exercise into your routine. Five 30-minute walks or moderately paced bike rides each week will help you stay physically active and meet the guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A well-rounded diet to follow encourages physical activity in addition to solid nutrition.

Offers Maintenance Strategy

If you are following a diet to lose weight, examine your diet for its potential to keep the weight off long- term. Weight lost on a fad or extreme diet will be almost impossible to maintain after you return to your previous eating habits. Instead, following a diet that teaches you how to add a small number of calories back into your overall eating pattern in order to maintain your weight long-term will help you avoid weight regain.