The fad four diets

[KayaTran]

1) The Atkins
How it works:The diet follows four phases, beginning with a two-week induction during which you reduce carbs to 20 grams a day, ban certain foods (like fruit, grains and milk) and dine on eggs, meat and other protein-rich foods. Atkins not only promises weight loss but also claims dieters will have better heart health, improved memory function and disease prevention
Credentials: An MD from Cornell University Medical School, the late Dr. Robert C. Atkins began publishing low carb weight loss books in 1972.
Best Suited For: Carb counters with carnivorous appetites. If you're likely to skip the salad bar and order a steak, this weight-loss plan may appeal to you.
Claim to fame: Catherine Zeta-Jones and Renee Zelweger are two A-lister linked to the trend.
Expert Weigh-In: '"It works for immediate weight loss, but the problem with Atkins is that it's not something a lot of people can maintain in the long term". It also has side effects. You can usually tell who's on Atkins based on their breath. The limitation of carbs forces the body into a fat burning process called ketosis, which can cause nausea and bad breath.

2) Jenny Craig
How it works: With the aid of a local support centre, you follow one of five programs tailored to your nutritional needs and weight-loss goals. It's recommended you eat only portion controlled, nutritionally approved Jenny Craig cuisine.
Credentiall: The diet was designed by a medical advisory panel and a team of registered dietitians.
Best Suited For: Girls used to microwave dinners. Cooking connoisseurs may be put off by the pre-made meals day in, day out.
Claim To Fame: Fat actress's Kirstie Alley has been slimming down as the star of the company's advertising campaign for the past year.
Expert Weight-In: The meals are well balanced and easy to follow. If you can stick with the plan indefinitely, you'll likely to continue to lose pounds and maintain a healthy weight. If you can afford it, sure it works. But do you really want to eat Jenny Craig for the rest of your life?

3) The Zone
How It Works?: Timing is everything.Dr. Sears's plan regulates your insulin levels throughout the day(keeping them in the Zone), so you lose weight, burn fat and control cravings. You eat five times a day, three meals and two snacks. Each carefully balanced to contain 40% carbs, 30% protein and 30% fat.
Credentials: Sears was a research scientist at the Boston University School of Medicine and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His areas of study included dietary induced hormonal control for the treatment of type-2 diabetes and hear disease.
Best Suited For: A math whiz with a detailed Daytimer. Unless you plan on signing up for In The Zone Delivery(pricey pre-packaged meals delivered daily to your door), the complicated calculations necessary to prepare each meal may deter some dieters.
Claim To Fame: Cindy Crawford, Jennifer Aniston, Demi Moore count among the celebs who've tried it.
Expert Weight In: It may help you to shed pounds for the first few months but, like Atkins, you likely won't be able to sustain the diet because it's also different from what you're used to eating and what your body requires.

4) Weight Watchers
How It Works: Weekly meeting offer support, tips and a chance to swap healthy recipes while you develop healthier eating and exercise habits. You can choose either the Points or the No Counting plan to monitor what you're eating.
Credentials: Founder Jean Nidetch started inviting friends to her Queens, New York, home more than 30 years ago to discuss dieting tips. Today, her company provides advice on nutrition and exercise.
Best Suited For: Group therapy enthusiasts. Regular meetings create a pseudo-support group for people battling the bulge. The plan maintains that the encouragement of fellow dieters can help you stay positive and remain motivated while you shed pounds.
Claim To Fame: Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, has been a spokeswoman since 1997. She claims to have lost 50 pounds-and kept it off.
Expert Weigh-In: They don't give you the tools to go it alone. You become dependent on them for support and instruction. Weight Watchers offers lifetime memberships, so you keep leaning on them forever, but if you stops you may not have made the life changes necessary to stay slims on your own.