The Year In Diet Reviews

Reviews of the Best Diets for a Lifetime of Weight Control

It seems everyone has a different opinion of dieting and which diets really work versus the "short term weight loss" diets. By short term weight loss , this refers to the phenomena where every pound that was lost comes right back on due to sheer hunger after starving your body for so long. Starvation diets are definitely not the way to go, but there are some excellent lower calorie diets that will leave you far from starving - and keep the pounds off for a lifetime.

Gone are the days of extreme starvation diets when an all vegetable or all fruit regimen were the rage to take pounds off quickly. Also gone are the extreme protein or carb diets. The straight Atkins approach has been booted in favor of more balanced high protein, low carb eating habits that emphasize carb monitoring and favoring healthy, high fiber carbohydrates over simple or refined carbs that offer little staying value since they burn off quickly and induce feelings of further hunger.

Interestingly, advocation of a low calorie diet has been around quite a while, it's only recently gained more media exposure since some modern popular diets such as the Zone diet and perhaps the more slyly marketed South Beach Diet have put forth a low calorie menu with about 1200 calories per day in the typical meal plan. What's even more interesting is that it is a scientifically proven fact that people who consume a low calorie diet consistently have much longer life spans, less disease and general illness, and tend to experience less psychological issues such as depression and anxiety.

Although the benefits of low calorie diets are known, the American philosophy of portion overload and "bang for your buck" still seems to be sticking around. Take for example, McDonalds Super Size options. Or the new Burger King Super Sized Giant Breakfast Sandwich. Hardly an exercise in moderation. And yet people still continue to buy these products because of the perception of value.

What many people forget when buying these types of products is the health sacrifices they are making for the sake of a perceived value. Problem is, it doesn't feel so good after it's all been eaten. Indisgestion, sluggishness, mental fog and other unsavory side effects are sure to come when we overeat. Not to say it's not okay to do it once in a while - we all do! These types of eating habits as a lifestyle are sure to lead to excessive weight gain, heart problems, other diseases, and feelings of despair and food reliance.

Sometimes the most difficult period of adjustment in dieting and losing weight is dwindling down your calorie intake fairly quickly. This is where a good appetite suppressing herb or supplement can really help. As long as you can get over that initial "hump", you can usually do the rest fairly painlessly, since your body would have been adjusted to the lower calorie regimen for a few weeks.

What to Do When You've Over Indulged

If you really feel the need to over do it, you may want to try a good carb blocking supplement or fat burner that helps to burn off excessive caloric intake during these times. This trick may be especially helpful around the holidays when there seem to be carbs and fats lurking around every corner and the temptation to indulge is overwhelming. Another good trick to making the most out of your meals, and assuring your brain registers fullness with less food is to eat slowly, and chew your food 35-50 times before swallowing. This is a surefire way, even on its own, to reduce calorie intake and induces feelings of fullness faster.

One of the hands-down best diets today is the Zone Diet, by the famed Dr. Barry Sears. The now famous diet book and lifestyle came into the spotlight after it was well publicized that one of our favorite "Friends" Jennifer Anniston, and some of her castmates and other high profile Hollywood celebs, followed this diet lifestyle and achieved great success in both weight loss and maintenance. The Zone way of life preaches smart carb and fat consumption, a moderation of refined carbs, a low calorie menu, and moderate exercise.

The South Beach Diet is very similar to this, but featured a little more diverse and easily prepared menu with items that are readily available at the grocery store. The South Beach Diet even spawned it's own line of snack bars by Kraft that can be meal replacements, pre-made South Beach meals, and some other food products that are in line with the calorie and nutrient ratios recommended in their books. This diet plan is one of the most highly reviewed and talked about diets on the market today.

Body For Life is also another excellently reviewed, high quality and successful lifetime diet. I actually have friends that have seen great success with this system. They say they are not hungry and do not feel deprived. The other "pro" of this diet is that it gives you one well deserved day off per week. On this day off, you may eat what you like, but not gorge yourself.

The day off tends to really take the edge off of a diet and make it feel less restrictive. Let's face it - we all love food, and we like to celebrate the taste and abundance of food once in a while! Realistically, you could probably take a day off once every week to two weeks on any diet plan - you just need to choose your day wisely, and make sure the "days off" don't become too often of an occurrence.

The bottom line is that moderation is key, and that is what the three diets discussed promote, in one way or another. Moderation, common sense and smart food and dietary supplement selection will clear the path for a lifetime of physical fitness and health.

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