Commercial weight-loss plans often claim to help you shed pounds if you purchase expensive supplements or meal plans. Although these products may work, there are more affordable diet options for women. When choosing a new diet plan, think about its cost and whether it emphasizes health lifestyle choices. Discuss a new diet with your physician to make sure it is a safe weight-loss plan for you.
South Beach Diet
Cardiologist Arthur Agatston is the author of the book "The South Beach Diet: The Delicious, Doctor-Designed, Foolproof Plan for Fast and Healthy Weight Loss." The diet plan emphasizes the importance of eating complex carbohydrates, healthy fats and lean protein. The diet does not require you to purchase commercial supplements or meals, making it an affordable plan for many women.
On the South Beach Diet, you reduce your consumption of foods with a high glycemic index, which increase your blood sugar more quickly than other foods. Sugary sweets, white rice, white bread and many cereals have a high glycemic index and you avoid them on this diet. Instead of eating these unhealthy carbohydrates, you eat whole-grain bread, wheat pasta, barley and brown rice. High-fiber vegetables, foods high in polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, low-fat dairy products and lean protein are important foods on the South Beach Diet.
Mayo Clinic Diet
The Mayo Clinic Diet is designed to be a lifestyle change that promotes weight loss. There is no fee to sign up for the diet. Information and meal plans are available in the book "The Mayo Clinic Diet: Eat Well, Enjoy Life, Lose Weight." After a two-week rapid weight-loss phase, the Mayo Clinic Diet focuses on eating large amounts of fruits, vegetables and whole-grain foods. Smaller portions of lean protein and dairy products are allowed. This diet plan also emphasizes the importance of daily physical activity to boost weight loss. The only cost on this plan is for the groceries you buy, making it affordable.
New Sonoma Diet
Dietitian Connie Gutterson developed the New Sonoma Diet in her book, "The New Sonoma Diet: Trimmer Waist, More Energy in Just 10 Days." The diet plan emphasizes the Mediterranean food pyramid, in which you eat large quantities of vegetables, fruit, fish, pasta, bread and other grains. You use olive oil instead of butter or margarine and limit your intake of processed foods. The New Sonoma Diet eliminates most red meat from your meals and restricts poultry and other animal proteins. The diet is an affordable option because it uses foods from the supermarket.
Nutrisystem
Nutrisystem is a reasonably affordable option for women who want prepared meals delivered to their doors. The Nutrisystem plan focuses on foods with a low glycemic index. Purchasing a 28-day plan provides you with breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert every day. Because the portions are controlled, the Nutrisystem diet can be an effective way for women to lose weight. In 2011, a basic 28-day plan cost $233, or under $9 per day.
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