The Best Weight Loss Diets For You

Let's face it, there are hundreds of diets to choose from but which are the best weight loss diets or should I say the most effective in achieving weight loss? After all, that is the objective and in this article my aim is to highlight the differences between five of the best weight loss diets around.

Raw Food Diet

If you're a vegetarian or vegan, this diet is made for you because it mainly consists of raw fruit, vegetables and grains. The belief is that cooking food removes all the nutrients. Therefore eating raw food can benefit your immune system and help if you suffer from arthritis and other ailments. However, it should be noted that as most people on this diet don't eat animal products, they must ensure they are not deficient in protein, calcium, iron and certain vitamins and minerals by taking supplements to maintain good health. Raw food is certainly one of the best natural weight loss diets due to being low in calories, high in fibre and as close to how nature intended.

Weight Watchers

Probably the best known diet and nutrition program in America and the UK. It uses a pro- points system so instead of working out calories, each food scores so many points value based on its carbohydrate, fat, fibre, calories content. You can eat what you like as long as you keep within your daily pro-points allowance based on your gender, weight, height and age.

Its success is partly due to the support offered at the meetings by the leader and other members which keeps the motivation going; there is also online support. At the start you decide how many pounds you want to lose and a target is set. Each week you are weighed and your weight is recorded on your personal record sheet. Weight Watchers continues to prove itself in long-term successful weight loss.

Mediterranean Diet

It sounds healthy and it is because it claims to be the best diet for helping prevent heart disease. It also helps lower blood pressure and cholesterol. For those of you on a low-sodium diet, this is suitable for you because food is flavoured with plenty of herbs and spices. Mainly plant-based using fruit, vegetables, whole-grains, nuts, beans, fish, occasionally meat and dairy and of course olive oil and not forgetting the red wine; it offers a wide range of foods to enjoy.

It's all about freshness, colour, laughter and eating in the company of others around the table. It's one of the better natural weight loss diets that works when combined with plenty of activity and though it isn't a low-fat diet it is low in saturated fat.

Flexitarian Diet

Flexitarian is a flexible but balanced diet that is mostly vegetarian but it allows you to eat meat very occasionally. Tests have shown that Flexitarians weigh 15% less than all consuming meat eaters. After reading this why not search for Flexitarian recipes yourself because they are delicious and include whole grains, vegetables and fruit so only whole foods in their natural state are used; none of that processed rubbish! The recipes also include eggs, tofu, beans, lentils, peas, seeds, nuts and more. Now as most of the recipes use plant-based foods, no wonder why fewer calories are consumed and why weight loss on this diet has been so successful.

Atkins Diet

Dr Robert Atkins, MD wrote the book over 40 years ago. Since then there have been updated versions but the principle is the same - by eating meat and dairy instead of carbohydrates like starchy potatoes, bread, pasta, and sweet things your body uses your fat stores for fuel resulting in your body burning fat. This in turn releases a by-product called ketones that give you energy.

It would appear that in the first phase of the diet no more than 20 grams of carbs are permitted per day and they come mostly from specified vegetables. Protein from fish, poultry, red meat, eggs, butter and vegetable oils are allowed but no pasta, bread, grains, starchy vegetables, fruit, or dairy - butter, cheese and cream being the exception. Nor is caffeine or alcohol allowed. In the next phase as part of this weight loss plan, more vegetables etc are introduced. It does seem rather complex but studies have shown that low-carb diets are as effective for weight loss as traditional methods and can improve cholesterol levels.

From my pick of the best weight loss diets I hope you will find one that is of interest and beneficial to you.