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The table below represents the major diets over the past few decades that have some medical and longitudinal veracity (e.g. they are not fad diets, e.g. "grapefruit diet"). Of course, each new issue of a woman's magazine purports to have the right answer with the right diet, which only shows America's obsession with losing weight and bears the question -- if these new diets worked so well, why would we need new ones?
Table 1 -- Overview of Major Diet Programs
Premise
Basic Tenet
Strengths
Weaknesses
Misc.
Adkins
Strict Carb restriction
Phases that eliminate most carbs
Effective when followed
Lack of carbs not healthy in long-term dieting; uses fats (butter, etc.) not great for heart health.
Men tend to lose faster than women; fairly strict during initial phases.
HGC
Combination caloric restriction and hormone supplement
Resets body systems
Clinically proven
Requires Rx; numerous knock offs that are fraudulent
Still controversial; 500 calorie diet dangerous if not monitored appropriately.
Jenny Craig
Caloric restriction
Lifestyle and "how to eat planning"
Effective, addresses holistic person
Very expensive, must belong to their program
One on one counseling -- very effective for some but must be prepared for large investment
NutriSystem
Caloric restriction
Tries to balance diet
Balanced, small portions; reasonable premise
Encourages using their products and participating in their seminars.
Price varies; food (less fresh) may be delivered through mail.
Ornish
Caloric restriction
Focuses on whole grains and vegetables - no meat
Effective and has been subjected to clinical trials; excellent for heart health
Strict, menus lack variety
Need only book; might be more lifestyle change
Slim-Fast
Caloric restriction
Meal replacement with their Shake product
Does provide proper levels of RDA nutrients
No control over non-replaced meal; must use their product; high cost, high drop-out rate
Can certainly work depending on commitment by individual More short-term solution
South Beach
Carb restriction
Modified Atkins; differentiates types of carbs
Wide variety of foods available; well balanced
Does not address exercise of lifestyle changes
Proper selection of foods helps stabilize blood sugar
Weight Watchers
Caloric restriction
Appropriate balance of carbs, proteins, etc.
Balanced, supplements with vegetables, fruits; reasonable premise
Encourages using their products and participating in their seminars -- belonging to a group.$20 to join, weekly dues; sells foods; point system still controversial; costs add up.
(Sources:"Weight Loss Programs," 2010; dietsinreview.om; revolutionhealth.com).
REFERENCES
Fumento, Michael, (1998), The Fat of The Land: The Obesity Epidemic and How Overweight Americans Can Help Themselves, Penguin.
Hellmich, Nanci, (10/3/05), "Percentage of Overweight Americans Stable," USA
Today, cited in: http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2005-10-03-weight-trends_x.htm
"Strong Evidence Links Soft Drink Consumption To Obesity, Diabetes," Medical
News Today, cited in: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/64824.php.
"The Nutrition Source," Harvard School of Public Health, cited in:
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/fats-full-story/index.html
Robbins, John, (1998), Diet for a New America, HJ Kramer.
Valentine, Judith, (5/26/02), "Soft Drinks: America's Other Drinking Problem," The
Weston Price Foundation, cited in:
http://www.westonaprice.org/modernfood/soft.html.
"Weight Loss Programs," (2010). Consumer Search. Cited in:
http://www.consumersearch.com/weight-loss-programs.....