Monday, August 3, 2009

Free Weight Loss Diets

By Owen Jones

The race to fitness is on and plenty of people are getting in on the act. Some people do it in order to achieve a sexy body, some people just do it because they are embarrassed about their body, while others do it simply to remain fit and healthy. As such, there are many fitness programs available on the Internet, in gyms, spas and fitness centres all over the world. Some are too expensive - so expensive that you will lose weight just by trying to earn the money needed to pursue these fitness programs.

You may not need to go to the gymnasium, the spa or any fitness centre and spend much just to slim down and get that longed for beautiful body. There are so many books in the bookshops offering diet programs that seem convenient and cheap. However, the books are not cheap though. These diet plans are gaining increased popularity due to their publicity, testimonials and reviews and you may be confused as to exactly which one to follow. So before you choose which weight loss plan to follow, try checking out the following precis of the most popular diet programs out today.

The Atkins' New Diet Revolution by Dr. Atkins: This diet plan encourages a high protein diet with less carbohydrates. You can dine heartily on vegetables and meat, but must not eat bread, rice or pasta. You are not restricted with your fat consumption so it is OK to pour on the (right) 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 programme also recommends following a low carbohydrate diet. It recommends eating mostly meats, vegetables and fruit, dairy and grain products. however, warns against taking in 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 spend it. It does not force people to regulate their carbohydrate consumption. Eating meat and poultry as well as low-fat dairy and seafood is fine. You may also consume vegetables, fruits, cereals, bread and pasta. This weight loss plan is fairly healthy, because it advises healthy amounts of fruits and vegetables as well as 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 moderate amounts of fat and protein but lots of carbohydrates. Primarily designed to lower blood pressure, so the diet plan follows the pyramid food guide and encourages a high intake of whole wheat grains and fruit and vegetables and low-fat dairy. Some dieters think it advises too much eating to produce significant weight loss.

Eat More, Weigh Less: by Dr. Ornish. Mostly vegetarian fare and strictly low-fat. Warns to watch out for non-fat dairy and egg whites. This diet plan is poor in calcium and restricts the consumption of healthy foods like seafood and lean poultry.

Eat Right for Your Type: This diet is really interesting because it bases its recommendations on your blood group. For example, it recommends lots of meat for people with the blood type O. However, diet plans for some blood types are nutritionally imbalanced and too low in calories. Furthermore, just for the record, there is no proof that blood type can affect dietary requirements.

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 fine, 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 eating fewer calories. It recommends the same foods as Pritkin but restricts fatty or dry foods like popcorn, pretzels and crackers. This diet is reasonably healthy given the high volume of fruit and vegetables as well as being low in calories and saturated fats.

The Zone: It is fairly low on carbohydrates yet 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 plan but lacking in grains and calcium.

Weight Watchers: They recommend high carbohydrate meals, but are moderate on fats and proteins. A very healthy diet program 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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