Losing weight does not mean that you have to deprive yourself. Food should be enjoyable. The American Heart Association explains that the number one principle for weight-loss diets is that they should be balanced, which many fad diets violate. Choosing a healthy balanced diet that allows you to eat a wide variety of foods will help you reach success and keep lasting weight loss results.
Weight Watchers
Weight Watchers promotes eating foods in moderation by restricting the amount of calories you consume each day. Weight Watchers uses a point system to track your foods; every food from cookies to apples has a point value. As an individual, you are given a set number of points based on your activity level and weight-loss goals. Weight Watchers does not restrict foods but allows you to create the meals you want as long as you stay within your point value.
Mediterranean Diet
The Mediterranean diet focuses on consuming healthy fats and omitting unhealthy fats like saturated fat and trans fats. The Mediterranean diet includes whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, olive oil and lean meats. Healthy fats help to promote weight loss, and ditching fatty foods like processed cookies and chips will help you lose weight. Healthy portions and exercise are also emphasized in the diet. In 2002, the journal "Diabetes Care" published a study by Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, which found that people who chose a diet high in monounsaturated fat had a greater weight loss and abdominal fat reduction than those who did not.
Atkins
The Atkins diet is a low-carbohydrate diet but still allows you to eat a variety of foods. MayoClinic.com explains that there are three phases to the diet. The first phase, lasting for two weeks, only calls for 20 grams of carbohydrates each day with the rest of your food coming from eggs, lean meats, olive oil and green vegetables. Phase two incorporates fruits, cheeses and nuts, allowing you 40 to 60 grams of carbohydrates each day; this phase lasts until you are within 10 pounds of your weight-loss goal. In phase three, you add 10 grams of carbohydrates to your diet. Phase four is maintenance where you live a healthy lifestyle.
Considerations
Be sure to talk to your doctor before starting any weight-loss program. A weight-loss program should deliver a slow and steady weight loss each week. Fast weight loss usually comes from diets that cannot be sustained for a long period. Aim for a healthy weight loss of one to two pounds per week.
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