Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Free Weight Loss Diets

By Owen Jones

The march to health and fitness is on and a lot of people are getting in on the act. Some people do it in order to have a beautiful body, some people do it because they are ashamed of their body as it is now, while others do it simply to remain fit and healthy. Because of this, there are hundreds of fitness programs on the Internet, in gyms, spas and fitness centres all over the world. Some are very - so expensive that you will lose weight quickly, just because you have to work hard to earn the money to pay for these fitness programs.

One might not have to go to the gym or the spa or any fitness center and spend a fortune just to slim down and obtain that longed for beautiful body. There are many books available in the bookshops offering weight loss programs which seem easy and cheap. However, the books are not though. These weight loss programs, or diet plans are gaining immense popularity due to their publicity, testimonials and reviews and you might be confused as to exactly which one to follow. So before choosing which weight loss plan to follow, try reading the following precis of the most popular diet programs out today.

The Atkins' New Diet Revolution by Dr. Atkins: This diet plan promotes a high protein diet with fewer carbohydrates. You can eat loads of vegetables and meat, but must not eat bread, rice or pasta. You are not restricted on your fat consumption so it is all right to pour on the (correct) salad dressing and freely spread on the butter. However, during the diet, some people may find themselves short on fibre and high on fat and cholesterol. Grains and fruits are also strictly limited.

The Carbohydrate Addict's Diet by Drs. Heller. This diet plan also recommends following a low carbohydrate diet. It suggests eating mostly meats, vegetables and fruit, dairy and grain products. however, advises against consuming too many carbohydrates. So-called "Reward Meals" can be quite high in fats and saturated fats.

Choose to Lose: by Dr. Goor. It advises restricting your fat consumption. You are allowed a "fat" budget, but you are given free reign on how to use it. It does not force people to regulate their carbohydrate intake. Eating meat and poultry as well as low-fat dairy and seafood is OK. You can also consume vegetables, fruits, cereals, bread and pasta. This weight loss plan is quite healthy, because it advises healthy amounts of fruits and vegetables and saturated fats. Watch your triglyceride levels though. If they are high, trim down on the carbohydrates and eat more unsaturated fats.

The DASH Diet. Advocates eating a fairly moderate amount of fat and protein yet a great deal of carbohydrates. It was primarily designed to reduce blood pressure. The diet plan follows the pyramid food guide and encourages a high consumption of whole wheat grains as well as fruit and vegetables and low-fat dairy. However, some dieters think it advocates too much consumption to produce a significant weight loss.

Eat More, Weigh Less: by Dr. Ornish. Mostly a vegetarian food and low-fat program. Advises to look out for low-fat dairy and egg whites. This diet plan is low in calcium and restricts the consumption of healthy foods like seafood and lean poultry.

Eat Right for Your Type: It is interesting because it is based on your blood type. For example, it advises plenty of meat for people with the blood type O. Diet plans for some blood types are nutritionally imbalanced and too low in calories. Furthermore, for the record, there is no proof that blood type affects dietary needs.

The Pritkin Principle: It is focused on trimming the amount of calories by eating watery foods that make you feel full. Eating vegetables, fruits, oatmeal, pasta, soups, salads and low-fat dairy is OK, although it limits protein sources to lean meat, seafood and poultry. It is healthy because it provides low amounts of saturated fats and large amounts of vegetables and fruits. However, it is low on calcium and restricts lean protein sources.

Volumetrics: It provides for consuming fewer calories. It advises about the same foodstuffs as Pritkin but limits fatty food and grain foodstuffs like popcorn, pretzels and crackers. This diet is fairly healthy given the high volume of fruit and vegetables. It also recommends eating fewer calories and saturated fats.

The Zone: It is moderately low on carbohydrates yet moderately high on proteins. It advises low-fat protein foods such as fish and chicken plus vegetables, fruits and grains. It is also a healthy diet but lacking in grains and calcium.

Weight Watchers: They advise high carbohydrate meals, but are moderate on fats and proteins. A very healthy diet plan and very flexible too. It permits the dieter to devise his own meals rather than offering recipes, although there are Weight Watchers' TV dinners in the supermarkets.

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