12 Weight Loss Diets To Try Today

Last updated on : June 24 2021

Diets Are Exciting

We love all kinds of diet programs because of the promise they bring - of lost weight, a trim figure, improved health, and feeling better in our clothes. We're also always starting our diets "tomorrow" or "on Monday" and after a few days are looking for cheats that we can justify. Oh for one that lets us eat cake! 

Yes, diets are exciting and hard to keep going. The jury is also out about whether they work, or whether we are doomed to fail through our DNA makeup or the habits we can never break. 

But we don't care, and we love the excitement (and trepidation) of starting a new diet and are fascinated by alternative diet theories we can try. 

For your gratification, we summarized 12 of our favorite diets for you below. Enjoy, and we wish you a quick and healthy weight loss. 

1. Blue Zone Diet

The Blue Zone diet is inspired by the lives of people who have managed to cross the 100-year mark. Most of these people live in "Blue Zones" - areas of the world where people live much longer - Okinawa in Japan, Sardina in Italy, Nicoya in Costa Rica and Icaria in Greece, plus some parts of California. 

The diet is perhaps one of the most natural to follow because all you have to do is avoid any kind of processed, fried, and greasy food.

When you follow a Blue Zone diet, you will mainly be eating plants and beans. If you are a non-vegetarian, worry not, you can add meat, but ensure that you don't consume more than 4 ounces per meal.

Other things to keep in mind are that you should stop eating once you feel about 80 percent full. And to stick strictly to this diet to eat your last meal in the early afternoon, not later than 5 pm.

2. Weight Watchers

The motto of the Weight Watchers diet is to lose weight by living a healthy life.

The Weight Watchers program started around 1963. It encourages people to lose weight by eating healthy and balanced meals. This diet is a favorite because you can control what you eat through an exciting points system.

In the points system (SmartPoints), Weight Watchers assigns a number to each food type - depending on the foods protein and sugar content.

The foods that fill your stomach and are high in protein are given lower values, while those that contain higher levels of sugar and saturated fats have higher costs.

The best part about the Weight Watchers diet is that you get access to a coach who helps you keep track of your weight loss as well as your fitness goals. There is a lot of momentum behind this program, with Oprah Winfrey, a fervent supporter.

3. Paleo Diet

The basic premise behind Paleo (Paleolithic) diet is to eat like a caveperson to lose weight.

The Paleo diet requires that you follow in the footsteps of our cave-dwelling ancestors. Foods that are allowed include fish, fruits, lean meats, vegetables, eggs, nuts, as well as healthier.

You must avoid foods such as wheat, dairy products, potatoes, refined sugar, and any processed foods. When you choose the Paleo diet, there is no need to do any calorie counting, and you can also cheat for three meals a week.

4. Volumetrics Diet

Developed by Dr. Barbara Rolls, the Volumetrics diet helps you lose weight by focusing on the energy density of foods.

If you want to lose weight fast, this is probably not a good diet for you because it has a more long term outlook. The eating plan of the Volumetrics diet mainly consists of high-volume and low-calorie foods, which means foods that have high water and fiber content.

Following the Volumetrics diet ensures that you lose weight by filling up your stomach with low-calorie foods, thus reducing your calorie intake.

You have two separate goals to achieve every day in this diet; one is the steps goals for exercise and the other is the calorie goals. 

The diet is yet another where no food is off limits.

5. 5:2 Diet

Apart from aiding in weight loss, a 5:2 diet might increase your lifespan and improve your brain function.

When you choose this diet, you eat regularly for five days a week and fast for the remaining two.

Although you can pretty much eat anything during the five days, the diet recommends you eat healthy and balanced food.

This diet is trendy because it doesn't restrict you from eating any food groups. When you start fasting for the first time, it is not unusual to feel dehydrated and dizzy.

6. Dukan Diet

The Dukan diet is a low-carb and high-protein diet that claims you will lose two pounds every week.

When you choose the Dukan diet, there is no cap on the amount of food that you eat during any of the phases. However, it is imperative that you strictly follow the rules of the diet.

The first phase lasts for five days, with you consuming only lean protein during this time, foods that are rich in protein but low in fat like eggs, fish, and chicken. This phase encourages quick weight loss - therefore, you cannot consume any carbs during this stage.

In the other three phases, you add carbs, vegetables, and fruits gradually to your diet.

Since this diet restricts the kind of foods that you eat, it is vital that you stick to the rules specified by this diet, or else it may have side effects.

7. Jenny Craig Diet

The name Jenny Craig is not new in the dieting industry. Her diet first launched in Australia in 1983, and then the United States in 1985.

The Jenny Craig diet not only helps you lose weight but can also be used to maintain your weight. It works by restricting your fat intake and calories and monitoring your portions.

When you choose the Jenny Craig diet, you eat pre-packaged food that is low in calories, at least for the first couple of weeks. The pre-packaged meals are typically high in protein, water, and fiber.

The main focus of the Jenny Craig diet is on moderation and a balanced diet, therefore, no food is technically off limits.

8. The Flexitarian Diet

ed by Dawn Jackson Blatner first suggested this diet in her book “The Flexitarian Diet: The Mostly Vegetarian Way to Lose Weight, Be Healthier, Prevent Disease and Add Years to Your Life” in 2009.

The Flexitarian diet claims that people who participate regularly tend to live around 3.6 years longer and have a lower risk of developing cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.

For this diet, you do not have to be completely vegetarian – you can consume meat when the mood strikes. This flexible vegetarian diet also urges you to exercise daily at least for 30 minutes, more if you want to lose weight.

It is one of those diets that helps you lose weight by keeping a tab on how much you eat.

9. Biggest Loser Diet

The Biggest Loser diet draws its inspiration from the hit NBC show of the same name. The only difference is that you will not be followed around by cameras 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Following the Biggest Loser diet not only helps you lose weight quickly but also enables you to get fit and lowers your blood pressure and cholesterol level. In this diet, you will be eating small but regular meals, which consist of low-fat foods and lean proteins.

The Biggest Loser diet also follows a 4-3-2-1 Pyramid, four servings of vegetables and fruits, three servings of lean protein foods such as chicken and turkey, two servings of whole grains, and one serving of 200 calories.

Following this diet plan requires endurance, planning, and dedication. This diet also calls for a heavy exercise routine.

10. HMR Program

The HMR Program diet is perfect for those who are looking for a structured way to lose weight. The diet plan combines physical activity, lifestyle changes, and planned meals.

When you use this diet correctly, you are guaranteed to lose weight quickly, and also discover whatever skills are necessary to maintain your weight.

Experts say that you tend to lose three times as much weight as traditional diets when you use the meal replacement options provided by the HMR Program. You will also need to exercise in the HMR Program because your weekly goal is to burn a minimum of 2000 calories.

11. The MIND Diet

MIND is an acronym for Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay and is a hybrid diet plan of the Mediterranean diet and DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet.

The MIND diet emphasizes the consumption of plant-based foods, berries, and other brain-healthy edibles. It is comparatively easier to follow than most other diets because of its simplicity.

Although not around for long, it has already found recognition as being one of the best. The U.S. News & World Report ranked The MIND Diet as the most straightforward diet to follow and the second best overall diet (tying in both categories) in 2016.

12. The Atkins Diet

Formally known as the Atkins Nutritional Approach, Robert C. Atkins, an American cardiologist, created the Atkins Diet in 1972.

Although Atkins became a popular diet that peaked in the early 2000s and even led to Atkins being named as one of the ten most influential people by Time magazine in 2002, it is not without its share of controversies and contrasting opinions.

The Atkins Diet is an eating plan that aims to help people lose weight by consuming a limited amount of carbohydrates (carbs) without having to give up the intake of fats and proteins.

According to the diet, this will help the human body’s metabolism switch from carbs to stored body fat to produce energy. 

Summary

When your goal is to lose extra pounds to get into the sexy dress you love, these diets are a great start. Each has a different approach so consider learning more about each and then trying the ones that fit best with your fitness goals and lifestyle.

As always, consult with your doctor or a professional nutritionist before making any changes to the way you eat.

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