Print This Article Post Comment Add To Favorites Email to Friends Ezine Ready

Diet Programs The Basics

By: John Mac Home | Health-and-Fitness | Weight-Loss


Which diet program is best for you ? Please read the diet program reviews below to help you decide.

Atkins Diet Program
The Atkins diet program is based on the principle of switching your body to burn fat instead of

carbohydrates to obtain energy. It is a life change rather than a diet program, as in order to keep the pounds off you need to stick to the recommended way of eating.

The main difference to other diet programs is in what you are allowed to eat ie eggs, meat including beef, pork, turkey, chicken, duck, wild game, veal & lamb also fish such as shellfish. Fats are also permitted ie butter, olive

oil & mayonnaise, certain cheeses are also permitted.

You must drink lots of water, only de-caffinated coffee & will need to take vitamin supplements including minerals.

You must also exercise every day, no need to do a marathon however, a brisk walk will suffice. You are encouraged to eat enough to satisfy your appetite but you must not overeat.

You must not drink alcohol. You must not cheat; it takes 2-3 days for the body to switch from burning carbohydrates (in the form of glucose) to burning fat, so if you cheat you are back to day 1.

You cannot eat the following:

Sugar in any form, corn syrup, honey or maple syrup.
Milk or Yogurt a limited amount of cream is allowed.
Fruit & fruit juice.
Flour products (bread, pasta, crackers etc)
Grains or cereals.
Beans and legumes.
Starchy or high sugar vegetables such as potatoes, yams, corn, peas, parsnips, beets & carrots.
Sweet condiments such as most ketchups, bbq sauce & balsamic vinegar.
French dressing & thousand island dressing.
Cottage cheese, farmers cheese & other fresh cheeses.
Nuts & seeds.

Diet Program Pro's
Lots of popular foods are permitted & you can have snacks between meals. No need to starve and are
encouraged to eat when hungry.

Diet Program Con's
Must stick to diet for good to keep off unwanted pounds. No breaks or cheat days allowed. May not be suitable if you can't go without coffee or alcohol.


South Beach Diet Program
Similar to the Atkins diet prgram in that it changes the way you eat whilst still allowing plenty of popular foods such as meat, fish & eggs but you can also eat cheese & vegetables.

You can have 3 meals a day & even 2 snacks a day. You can also have dessert & diet soda. You are not allowed any alcohol for an initial 2 week period but after that you are allowed to drink wine. After an initial 2 week start

where what you can eat is limited you can start to phase some of your favourite foods back into your diet. Its all about eating good carbs" instead of bad carbs".

Diet Program Pro's

Based on a healthy way of eating rather than a diet. Many of your favourite foods are probably still
allowed. Some alcohol ie wine is allowed.

Diet Program Con's
You may find the first couple of weeks particularly hard due to what you can eat being limited.


Zone Diet Program
Developed by Barry Sears a biochemist, the Zone Diet is about controlling your insulin level through a balanced diet of carbohydrates, proteins & fat, also known as the 40-30-30 diet (40% carbohydrates,

30% Proteins 30% fat). Once again it is a way of living rather than just a diet with 3 stages geared to make you lose weight, control hunger & have more energy. It is based on consistent insulin levels with the supplementation of high dose fish oil.

The Zone diet encourages eating regularly throughout the day & eliminates many jink foods such as sweets & chips.

The Zone" refers to being in a physiological state in which hormones, governed by the food you eat, are in a zone which is neither too high nor too low.

Diet Program Pro's
Balanced diet rather than cutting out foods you may enjoy.

Diet Program Con's
The reasoning behind the diet can be quite technical & therefore many people may disagree about its merits.


Mediterranean Diet Program
Not a diet as such but simply a way of eating for hundreds if not thousands of years followed by people of countries bordering the Mediterranean such as Greece, Southern Italy, parts of North Africa & the Middle East.

It is well known that people from these areas have a lower incidence of heart disease; this is believed to be due to over half of their fat intake being from monounsaturated fat (mainly from olive oil) as opposed to saturated fat, prominent elsewhere. Saturated fat is known to raise cholesterol levels.

The basic diet followed is one that has a low consumption of red meat, low to moderate consumption of sweets, fish, eggs & dairy products except cheese & natural yogurt, a high consumption of fresh fruits & vegetables & a higher consumption of breads, pasta, rice, potatoes & couscous. Water & red wine (in moderation) are taken with meals.

Diet Program Pro's
Not a fad diet" but a traditional way of eating with known health benefits.

Diet Program Con's
None as such apart from if you are unable to obtain fresh fruit & veg.


Weight Watchers Diet Program
There are 2 main diet programs for you to follow; one a points system where all foods are allocated points according to their calorie, fat & fibre content. You are allowed to use up (or consume) a set number of points per day. The other diet program is a no points system which allows you to eat from a range of wholesome foods without having to count the calories.

The weight watchers diet program can be followed online as well as offline through regular local meetings where you will get not just tips & guidance but the support & encouragement of fellow weight watchers.

Diet Program Pro's
On the points system you can eat what you like as long as you stick to the number of points.

The meetings can help to keep you motivated.

Diet Program Con's
Offline meetings may not be practical for you. The points system may leave you feeling hungry.



Article Source: http://www.eArticlesOnline.com

About the Author:
John Mac is the owner of fitnessdiethealth.com a website aimed at people looking to improve their fitness diet & health

Tags: , , , , ,

Please Rate this Article

 

Not yet Rated

Click the XML Icon Above to Receive Weight-Loss Articles Via RSS!

Recent Related Articles From Weight-Loss

  • How Healthy Is Zone Diet Weight Loss Program
    By: Chris Chew | Sep 28th 2006
    The popular Zone Diet weight loss program explained. Read

  • Who Else Wants To Look Like A Movie Star?
    By: Terry Schierer | Jul 2nd 2007
    Tired of trying diet programs that just don't work. Now you can have the same type of diet and exercise program that was once reserved only for the super rich. You can have the body of a movie star! Read

  • What Is The Nutri System Diet ?
    By: Ken Black | May 28th 2007
    There are many weight loss programs out there, but do they really help you lose weight? A very popular diet is the Nutri System Diet. Here is what it is all about. Read

  • 4 Factors To Consider When Selecting Diet Pills
    By: Stewart C | Mar 17th 2008
    At the present time, being slim is the "in" thing. There have been many approaches just to achieve a perfect, sexy body just to be with the crowd. We hear and see the claim for surgery as the ultimate way. There are different fad diets that you can follow. You can also workout or you can take some diet pills.

    ...
    Read

  • Just Follow Detox Diet Sample Menu And Make It A Habbit

    Strong determination is needed for detox diet sample menu program. If you are planning to start a Detox diet sample menu, it will be more desirable that your doctor approves this too and you have consulted a nutritionist as well. People who are not able to control their longing for food cannot go through this plan. Like a p ... Read

  • Benefits Of Diet Frozen Meals On A Weight Loss Program
    By: Xania Hughes | Feb 11th 2009
    Diet Frozen Meals bring up images of small aluminium containers full of mushy vegetables and steamed fish! Not so any more! The latest generation of diet frozen meals offer a huge variety of gourmet style meals that will leave your mouth watering! I recently discovered this for myself as I tried a diet frozen meals program ... Read

  • Tips For Successful Hcg Diet Meal Plan
    By: Get Leads Fast | Feb 7th 2011
    There are a lot of options including hcg diet meal plan however you have to consider experts if you are looking for hcg diet meal plan program. Read

  • South Beach Diet Information And Zone Diets
    By: William Walters | Jan 4th 2007
    Today we are going to talk about the importance of your diet to maintain a healthy and attractive body. We will discuss South Beach Diets, and Zone Diets. Zone Diet is the easiest dieting plan around. Read

  • South Beach Diet - What Are The Benefits And Pitfalls Of The South Beach Diet?
    By: John Smith | Jun 3rd 2006
    What is the South Beach Diet and what are its benefits and its drawbacks? The South Beach Diet is the creation of cardiologist Arthur Agatston, MD, and like the Atkins Diet, Dr. Agatston's South Beach Diet also limits the intake of carbohydrates as well as including a severely restrictive two week induction phase that is fo ... Read

  • High Protein Diet For Weight Loss
    By: Kevin Pederson | May 29th 2007
    Many experts recommend that an individual eat a high protein diet in order to increase the amount of weight that an individual loses when dieting. Read


Copyright © 2005-2011 eArticlesOnline, LLC - All Rights Reserved
Terms of Service | Privacy Policy