Weight Loss and Diet Books

Sampling the New Diet Books
by Andrea Sachs/Time Magazine

We have officially entered the "new year, new you" season, in which grandiose resolutions abound. Chief among them: lose weight, the faster the better. With the recession raging and food prices soaring, you might think dieting would be easier these days. But in a recent survey of nearly 500 registered dietitians and nutritionists, 56% of respondents said they were concerned that the economic downturn would have a negative impact on their patients' ability to maintain or achieve a healthy weight. The reason? Junk food is cheaper than healthy fare. Plus, financial woes can be so distracting, people don't pursue nutritional goals. Some diet programs--like Weight Watchers, which costs about $12 a week--have already seen enrollments decline in recent months.

But it costs less than those programs to buy a diet book and go it alone. That's why the publishing industry is hopeful that the annual torrent of such books will include another megabrand like South Beach (whose titles have 23 million copies in print worldwide). "I would hazard a guess that diet books may be recession-proof," says Crown executive editor Heather Jackson, who has worked on both South Beach and Atkins books. "We don't have control over a number of things, but we'd love to get control of our waistlines."

To that end, I tried four of this year's major diet tomes for a week each, with an eye on food bills as well as weight loss. And although all the regimens emphasize whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats and exercise, each had its own rules, so I had to struggle to remember whether this was the week I could put milk in my coffee, or artificial sweetener, or have any coffee at all. The most realistic, Joy's LIFE Diet, provides solutions for such things as navigating parties and visiting fast-food restaurants. The book has a catchy acronym (Look Incredible, Feel Extraordinary), a well-known author (morning-show staple Joy Bauer) and many cost-cutting tips (load up on staples during sales, for example, and buy seasonal fruits). The cheapest but hardest-to-follow regimen proved to be The Engine 2 Diet, a rigorous vegan program from a Texas firefighter and triathlete that eschews dairy, meat, processed foods and even oils. Flat Belly Diet!, from the folks at Prevention magazine, was a good candidate for quickly--and affordably--blasting off a few pounds. But the one for profound lifelong changes was The Complete Beck Diet for Life, by cognitive therapist Judith Beck, who offers wise counsel about ending the "sabotaging thoughts" that plague many dieters. The book is perfect for the highly motivated, battle-scarred diet veteran who is sick of jumping from program to program. "You will learn how to stay in control when you are stressed," she promises. That includes when you look at your skinny 401(k).

What is the best way to lose weight?

A healthy diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and fat-free or low-fat dairy products, along with regular physical activity, can help most people manage and maintain weight loss for both cardiovascular health and appearance. The American Heart Association urges people to take a safe and proven route to losing and maintaining weight — by following our guidelines for healthy, nutritionally balanced weight loss for a lifetime of good health.

Follow these basic guidelines:

Following sensible and healthy guidelines for eating and physical activity is important for healthy weight management.
Obesity is a serious, chronic disease that is known to reduce life span, increase disability and lead to many serious illnesses including diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
Excess weight is caused by an interaction of genetic (inherited) and environmental (social and cultural) factors, which include metabolic (physical and chemical) and behavioral (psychological and emotional) components. Because of the complexity of weight loss, gain, and maintenance, promises of quick and effortless weight loss are worthless.
A sedentary lifestyle is a significant barrier to successfully maintaining weight loss and preventing further weight gain.
Losing weight requires burning more calories than the body takes in, by either reducing caloric intake or increasing caloric expenditure, or preferably, both.
Achieving and maintaining even a modest amount of weight loss can reduce the severity of illnesses associated with obesity.
Effective weight management involves behavior modification which is a lifelong commitment and includes at least two components:
1. healthful eating in accordance with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, emphasizing a reduction in total calories, a lowered fat consumption, and an increase in vegetables, fruits and whole grains, and
2. increased frequent and regular physical activity of at least moderate intensity.

A Plethora of Weight Loss Diets

eDiets	A very popular on-line diet.
Medifast	Popular rapid weight loss program for obese people. Uses shipped pre-packaged foods.
NutriSystem	Pre-packaged foods.
Sonoma Diet	Whilst still very new, this Mediterranean-themed diet has surged to popularity.
Glycemic Index Diets	Low GI diets have been popular in Europe for a number of years, but have only recently become popular in the US.
Weight Watchers	Continues to be one of the most popular and successful weight loss programs to date.
South Beach Diet	Hugely Popular nutritionally-balanced weight loss diet based on the glycemic index.
5 Factor Diet	A newer diet from fitness trainer Harvey Pasternak.

3 Day Diet	Short-term fad diet.
3 Hour Diet	Popular diet from Jorge Cruise
5 Factor Diet	A newer diet from fitness trainer Harvey Pasternak.
7 Day Diet	A very unbalanced eating plan.
Abs Diet	The Abs Diet is based around frequently eating whole carbs, adequate protein. This must be combined with cardio and weight training.
Anne Collins Weight Loss Program	On-line access to 9 complete Diet Plans, On-line Forum, 365-day email support, 600+ pages of weight loss information, motivation advice articles, etc.
Apple Cider Vinegar Diet	A ridiculous fad claiming that apple cider vinegar will cause weight loss.
Atkins Diet	Controversial but popular high-fat low carb diet.
Bernstein Diet	Clinic-based program based in Canada.
Best Life Diet	A healthy-eating/lifestyle approach to weight loss and management, in 3 phases.
Beverly Hills Diet	A very low calorie diet based on an unproven theory.
Biggest Loser Club	An adaptation of the popular NBC reality series The Biggest Loser.
Bikini Bootcamp	An aggressive two-week program.
Blood Type Diet	Claims that nutrition should match blood type.
Body For Life	A program that includes weights, cardio, as well as nutrition.
Brazilian Bikini Body Program	Regina Joseph teaches dieters how to loose weight the brazilian way.
Bread for Life	Advocates eating lots of bread to increase serotonin levels.
British Heart Foundation	Low calorie fad diet. See also Greenlane diet.
Cabbage Soup Diet	A faddish monotonous diet plan based on Cabbage soup.
Cambridge Diet	A Very Low Calorie Diet originating from the UK in the 1980s. Use with care.
Carbohydrate Addicts	Low carb diet claiming that most people are carb addicts.
Cardio-Free Diet	Controversial diet claiming that cardio does not help weight loss.
Change One	Diet from Readers Digest aims to make dietary changes one at a time.
Chocolate Diet	A low calorie diet that makes allowances for chocolate lovers.
Coconut Diet	A low carb diet that uses coconut oil for added weight loss benefits.
Cookie Diet	Dr Seigal's Cookie Diet uses a 'healthy' cookie to help suppress appetite.
CSIRO Diet	Australian developed high protein low fat diet.
Dash Diet	Whilst not really a weight loss diet, this low sodium diet is healthy enough to bring about weight loss.
Diet Divas	Web-based weight loss program based on reduced-carb, high protein recommendations. No Longer in Business.
Diet Smart	Based on calorie counting.
DietWatch	A popular on-line program.
Don't Go Hungry Diet	A non-dieting approach to weight loss.
Dorm Room Diet	Help college students avoid the dreaded ‘Freshman 15′
Dr Phil	More about addressing the causes of weight problems, than nutritional guidelines.
Eat Clean Diet	Focuses on unprocessed and whole foods.
Eating Mindfully	Psychologist Dr. Susan Albers deals with the emotional aspects of eating and weight management.
Eat to Live	Dr. Joel Fuhrman's diet plan to shed pounds quickly.
eDiets	The largest provider of online weight loss programs.
Every Other Day Diet	The QOD Diet which alternates between a low Calorie day and a normal Calorie day.
F-Factor Diet	High fiber plan.
F-Plan	A high fiber, low fat diet.
Fast Food Diet	A low calorie diet that allows for 20% fast food
Fat Burning Diet	Jay Robb's alternating carb method for increased energy and weight loss.
Fat Flush Diet	Primarily a Detox Diet, with fat loss as a side effect.
FatLoss4Idiots	A web-based diet based on a higher-protein ratio.
Fat Resistance Diet	Reduces fat levels which in turn regulates the hormones responsible for metabolism.
Fat Smash Diet	A weight-loss and -maintenance diet, beginning with detox.
Flat Belly Diet	Diet based around monounsaturated fats.
Flavor Point Diet	This diet uses flavor centers of the brain to limit appetite.
Food Doctor Diet	Sensible healthy diet from Ian Marber.
French Women Don't Get Fat	lifestyle diet based on eating like a French woman.
The Genotype Diet	Based on genetic body types.
Glycemic Index Diets	Originally devised for Diabetics, low GI diets being used to assist in weight loss efforts.
Glycemic Impact Diet	A newer GI diet implemented in the USA.
Glycemic Load Diet	Based on the Glycemic Index corrected for serving sizes.
Grapefruit Diet	A diet plan based solely around the humble grapefruit.
Greenlane Diet	Also known as the British Heart Foundation Diet - this is a faddy low calorie diet.
Gotti Diet	Frank Gotti from "Growing up Gotti" shares his weight loss plan
Hallelujah Diet	Better used as a detox plan than a sustainable weight loss diet.
Hamptons Diet	A more nutritional version of the Atkins Diet.
Herbalife Weight Loss Program	ShapeWorks - uses meal replacement shakes and protein booster.
High Protein Diets	Aim to build muscle mass and lose fat.
Hilton Head Metabolism Diet	Change your body chemistry to burn fat naturally through metabolism.
Hip and Thigh Diet	Rosemary Conley's very low fat diet.
Hollywood Diet	Not really a diet, but a fad based on a tonic juice.
Hot Latin Diet	Uses a low Calorie approach with 7 Latin superfoods.
How The Rich Get Thin	High protein low carb approach with high doses of calcium recommended.
Idiot Proof Diet	Neris and India outline how they lost 140lbs between them by following this low carb diet.
Israeli Army Diet	An appalling fad diet from the 1970s.
Japanese Diet	This approach uses the healthy Japanese Diet to help women achieve better health and weight loss.
Jenny Craig	Franchised weight loss centers.
The Jerusalem Diet	A weight loss story and inspiration.
Jillian Michaels	Fitness instructor from The Biggest Loser has her won program.
Karl Lagerfeld Diet	The diet he used to loose 92 pounds.
Ketogenic Diets	High-fat and higher protein diets with no carbohydrate.
Kids and Teens Diets	Dietary requirements for children.
LA Weight Loss	Expensive center-based weight loss program.
Leptin Diet	Examines Mastering Leptin based on managing the leptin hormone.
Lindora	The Lindora clinics offer the Lean for Life program - a ketogenic diet.
Liquid Diets	Sometimes used for rapid weight loss, but not a long term option.
Low Carb Diets	Generally a diet with 40% or less carbohydrate content.
Low Fat Diets	What is a low fat diet?
Lunch Box Diet	Use portion-controlled healthy lunches to lose weight.
Macrobiotic Diet	Difficult to categorize - this Far Eastern diet is based on whole grains, and holistic living.
Maker's Diet	Author Jordan Rubin makes a number of health claims with his biblically based 40 day diet program - including weight loss.
Martha's Vineyard Detox Diet	Claims a weight loss of 21 pounds in 21 days.
Martini Diet	This diet advises using a martini glass to judge portion size.
Mayo Clinic Diet	A Fad/Crash diet with no connection to the official Mayo Clinic.
Mayo Clinic Plan	Healthy weight maintenance program available online from eDiet.com in partnership with The Mayo Clinic
Medifast	A VLCD bringing about rapid weight loss.
Mediterranean Diet	Healthy eating based on the Southern Mediterranean.
MediterrAsian Way	A diet combining the healthy habits of two cultures for weight loss.
Neanderthin	A diet based around that of Paleolithic man.
Negative Calorie Diet	Claims that certain foods have a Negative Calorie effect.
New York Diet	A Plan For Rapid Weight Loss
No Fad Diet	From the American Heart Association for a heart healthy weight loss
No Flour, No Sugar Diet	Dr. Gott's Diet Program eliminating refined flour and added sugar.
NutriSystem	A portion-controlled diet where the food is premade.
Okinawa Diet	Utilizes the eating habits of the Okinawans to loss weight and be healthy.
Oprah Diet	The Owners Manual for Waist Management is written by Dr. Mehmet Oz and Dr. Michael Roizen who are regular guests on the Oprah show
OPTIFAST Diet	Clinic-based obesity weight-loss program and liquid diet available in USA and Canada.
Ornish Diet	Very low fat diet from Dr Dean Ornish.
Peanut Butter Diet	Fad dieting at it's finest.
Personality Type Diet	A unique weight loss program based around personailty and behavioral factors.
Picture Perfect Weight Loss	Dr. Shapiro's holistic and visual approach to controlling eating.
Pocket Diet	Uses pita pockets for calorie reduction.
Pritikin Diet	A very low fat, high carb diet.
Protein Power	A higher protein lower carb diet.
Raw Food Diet: Eating in the Raw	Former super model Carol Alt's version of the raw foods diet concept.
Reverse Diet	The basis of this diet is switching the big meal of the day to breakfast.
Rice Diet	Specialized clinic-based program in Durham, NC, USA.
Rosedale Diet	Very-low carb, low protein, high fat diet.
Sacred Heart Diet	Soup-based fad diet based on a 7 day plan.
The Schwarzbein Principle	Long-term lifestyle diet with a low-carbohydate basis.
Seattle Sutton	Pre-packaged diet based in Chicago, US.
Scarsdale Diet	High-protein, low-fat, and too low in calories.
Shangri-La Diet	Highly unusual diet using oil and sugar water to reduce appetite.
ShapeWorks	Herbalife weight loss program using meal replacement shakes and protein booster.
Shape Your Self	Martina Navratilova's plan for fitness, nutrition, and weight loss
Six Week Body Makeover	An informercial kit promising transformation in 6 weeks.
Skinny Bitch	A total vegan diet that promotes no sugar, no processed foods, and no animal products.
Slim4Life	A long-running clinic-based program available in Denver and Minneapolis/St. Paul.
Slim Fast	2 meal replacements per day plus one 'regular' meal.
Sonoma Diet	Balanced mediterranean diet based on portion size.
South Beach Diet	Popular nutritionally-balanced weight loss diet.
Special K Diet	Lose weight by substituting normal meals with Kellogg's breakfast cereal.
Subway Diet	A fast food diet based on eating only Subway sandwiches.
Sugar Busters	A diet based on the premise that all sugar is bad.
Sugar Solution	Aiming to bring blood sugar under control.
Suzanne Somers Diet	Her Somersizing plan for weight loss.
Thermogenic Weight Loss	This diet uses thermogenic foods in order to speed up metabolism.
UltraMetabolism plan	Weight-loss based on the science of how food is 'information' that communicates with our genes.
Ultimate Weight Loss Solution	Dr. Phil's detailed plan for weight loss and controlling eating.
UltraSimple Diet	A 7 day detoxification plan.
Very Low Calorie Diets	To be used under medical supervision only.
Warrior Diet	Difficult to classify, this diet involves a process of undereating and overeating.
Weight Watchers	The longest surviving weight loss program.
Zone Diet	A popular diet based on a 40:30:30 nutrient ratio.

Related:

Foods to Include in a Detox Diet
Raw foods contain enzymes which aid digestion, meaning that the body's own enzymes may work unimpeded in regulating the body's metabolic processes

The Detox Diet
Detoxification is an important component in treating overweight and obesity. His book The Detox Diet is an excellent how-to guide for losing weight through a cleansing program.

The 7 Day Detox Miracle
The authors' claim that their patients lose 7 to 14 pounds in one to two weeks, and, because they stay on a maintenance program, the weight does not come back.

Raw Food Diet
Raw foods contain enzymes which aid digestion, meaning that the body's own enzymes may work unimpeded in regulating the body's metabolic processes