The march to health and fitness is raging 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 embarrassed about their body as it is now, while others do it just 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 too expensive – 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 may not have to go to the gym or the spa or any fitness center and spend much just to slim down and obtain that longed for beautiful body. There are many books available in the bookstores] offering weight loss programs which seem convenient 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 may 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 around today.
The Atkins’ New Diet Revolution by Dr. Atkins: This weight loss program promotes a high protein diet and less carbohydrates. You can feast on vegetables and meat but must not eat bread and pasta. You are not restricted on your fat consumption so it is OK 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 severely limited.
The Carbohydrate Addict’s Diet by Drs. Heller. This diet programme also recommends a low carbohydrate diet. It recommends eating meat, vegetables and fruit, dairy and grain products. however, advises against taking in too many carbohydrates. So-called “Reward Meals” can be very high in fats and saturated fats.
Choose to Lose: by Dr. Goor. Restricts fat intake. You are given a “fat” budget and you are given free reign on how to use it. It does not pressure the individual to watch his carbohydrate intake. Eating meat and poultry as well as low-fat dairy and seafood is OK. You may also eat vegetables, fruits, cereals, bread and pasta. This weight loss plan is quite healthy, because it recommends correct 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 but a great deal of carbohydrates. It was primarily created 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 consider it advises too much consumption to produce a significant weight loss.
Eat More, Weigh Less: by Dr. Ornish. Primarily vegetarian food and strictly low-fat. Warns to watch out for low-fat dairy and egg whites. This diet plan is poor in calcium and limits 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 recommends 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 requirements.
The Pritkin Principle: It focuses on cutting back on the number of calories by eating ‘watery’ foods that make you feel full. It recommends eating vegetables, fruits, oatmeal, pasta, soups, salads and low-fat dairy, which it says is fine, although it also restricts protein sources to lean meat, seafood and poultry. It is healthy since it allows low amounts of saturated fats and rather large amounts of vegetables and fruits. However, it is low on calcium and restricts lean protein sources.
Volumetrics: It recommends consuming fewer calories. It recommends about the same foodstuffs as Pritkin but limits fatty food and grain foodstuffs like popcorn, pretzels and crackers. This plan 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 but fairly high on proteins. It advises low-fat protein foods such as fish and chicken and vegetables, fruits and grains. It is also a healthy diet but short on grains and calcium.
Weight Watchers: They advise high carbohydrate meals, yet are moderate on fats and proteins. A very healthy diet program and very flexible too. It allows the dieter to devise his own meals rather than offering recipes, although there are Weight Watchers’ TV dinners in the shops.
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