Top 10 Diets Review
Top 10 Diets Review
| Performance | ||||||||
| Diet | Effectiveness (Short Term) |
Effectiveness (Long Term) |
Ease of use | Cost | Taste | Satiety | Health | Score (35) |
| ** TOP 10 DIETS ** | ||||||||
| Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscles | 3.5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 29.5 |
| Abs Diet | 3.5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3.5 | 4 | 5 | 28 |
| Low Glycemic | 3 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 28 |
| Low Fat | 2.5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 27.5 |
| Mediterranean Diet | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 26 |
| Weight Watchers | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 25 |
| Cookie Diet | 4 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 25 |
| Jenny Craigs | 3 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 24 |
| Raw Food Diet | 4 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 23 |
| Slimfast/ Replacement Meals | 4 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 23 |
| ** THE REST ** | ||||||||
| Best For Life Diet | 2 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 23 |
| South Beach Diet | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2.5 | 3 | 4 | 22.5 |
| Special K Diet | 4 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 21 |
| Cabbage Soup Diet | 5 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 20 |
| Scarsdale Diet | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 19 |
| Atkins Diet/Low Carb | 5 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 18 |
| Detox Diet | 5 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 16 |
Diet Reviews
Abs Diet
Short Term effectiveness 4/5
By exercising intensly and following the food plans it is suggested that up to 12 pounds can be lost in the first 2 weeks.
Long Term effectiveness 4/5
This is just a 6 week plan diet but it doesn't set a person up for a healthy diet with the incoporation of exercise. The diet plans are balanced.
Ease of use 3/5
There's no calorie counting or weighing. Wide range of foods to choose from. Exercises may require equipment or gym. Have to find the time to shop, cook and exercise. May be difficult for some. Some may find the aboloshing of fats and sugars difficult at first.
Cost 3/5
Need to buy fresh foods and perhaps a gym memberships or some equipment.
Taste 4/5
Might be difficult for some people to cut out bad fats and sugars but otherwise the range of foods to choose from allow for a lot of recipes.
Satiety 5/5
There is no calorie counting because the power foods suggested can be eaten as much as the dieter would like. These foods are filling.
Health 5/5
The power foods suggested by this diet form the basis for a healthy diet. The incorporating of exercise and muscle building in this diet make it a good all rounder.
Total: 28/35 More The Abs Diet >>
Low Glycemic
Short Term effectiveness 3/5
Increasing complex carbohydrates may result in increased water retention
Long Term effectiveness 5/5
It is essentailly based on a well balanced diet in addition to replacing High GI foods with lower GI alternatives
Ease of use 3/5
No tricks or counting calories, just choosing the right foods
Cost 4/5
High in carbs, not protein which is the most expensive component
Taste 3/5
Mainly difficult for those who are accustomed to and enjoy a high protein diet
Satiety 5/5
Allows a wide range of tasty food
Health 5/5
It is essentially a traditional well balanced diet with the addition of low GI carbs
Total: 28/35
Low Fat
Short Term effectiveness 2.5/5
If low in calories, should see immediate weight loss but not so much if carb intake is relatively high
Long Term effectiveness 5/5
High carb low fat diet does allow for a better chance of weight maintenance particuarly if the lower fat component is moderate, not too drastic
Ease of use 4/5
Fine if it's a moderately low fat diet, not extreme. This will allow a wide range of familiar food
Cost 4/5
Will contain a lot of complex carbs which are low cost
Taste 3/5
Those accustomed to a high fat diet may go through a taste adjustment for food lower in fat
Satiety 4/5
A higher carbohydrate diet is generally satisfying, the addition of encouraging low glycemic carbs would result in increased satisfaction
Health 5/5
Low fat and high carbohydates (particularly complex) are generally recommended as a heart healthy diet
Total: 27.5/35 More Low Glycemic >>
Mediterranean Diet
Short Term effectiveness 3/5
A decrease in bad fats, fatty meat and processed grains will see a moderate, steady and healthy weight loss. Nothing drastic.
Long Term effectiveness 4/5
Comprosing of a range of foods from basic food pyramid and a high degree of flexiblity, if the dieter enjoys fish and the other types of foods encouraged and leads an active lifestyle, then this a heart and weight friendly diet.
Ease of use 3/5
This diet is not overly strict and allows some flexiblity with a wide range of foods. Those who need more direction may not consider this as easy.
Cost 3/5
The books for this type of diet are relatively cheap and there are moderately priced cook books available also. Fish as a frequent main component of the diet may not be cost affective for some people in some areas.
Taste 4/5
Covers quite a wide range of foods just like the traditional American food pyramid. But if you love your red meat this diet has very little of it. Allows some wine and if you love fish and white meat you will love it.
Satiety 4/5
Meals are well balanced with filling components from whole grains, meat and vegetables. Portion sizes are key, not too big.
Health 5/5
This diet has been praised for it's heart healthy components and inclusion of good fats. Well balanced without being too strict and an encouragement of exercise.
Total: 26/35 More Mediterranean Diet >>
Weight Watchers
Short Term effectiveness 3/5
Weight loss will not be drastic, the aim is to lose weight at a steady healthy speed
Long Term effectiveness 4/5
The program aims to educate members with new eating habits to help them maintain their weight for life. Group meetings create a valuable support network.
Ease of use 3/5
Most popular system involves counting points, can be fiddly but allows food flexiblity
Cost 3/5
Some have complained about the costs involved
Taste 5/5
Allows a large range of foods but in limited portions. Foods that would never be allowed on other diets
Satiety 3/5
Portions for points system may be smaller then dieters are used to. Other plan allows larger portions of restricted food
Health 4/5
Puts too much emphasis on being able to eat bad foods but in smaller portions.
Total: 25/35 More Weight Watchers >>
Cookie Diet
Short Term effectiveness 4/5
Rapid short term weight loss
Long Term effectiveness 3/5
Perhaps when used as snacks in a well balanced diet
Ease of use 5/5
Very easy to follow, just eat cookies to satisfy hunger
Cost 3/5
$56 for a weeks worth of cookies. $8 a day for snacks throughout the day. Cost effective if cookies make up 2 main meals
Taste 4/5
The cookies aren't mouth watering but tasteful enough snack that comes in different flavours
Satiety 4/5
The role of the cookies are to be eaten whenever one is hungry. However, only dinner is eaten on the strict cookie diet
Health 2/5
Okay if the cookies are apart of a balanced diet but not so good if they act as meal replacements. Will miss out on may vitamins and minerals.
Total: 25/35 More Cookie Diet >>
Jenny Craigs
Short Term effectiveness 3/5
The program is geared more towards the long term then short term, the focus being on slow but steady, healthy weight loss
Long Term effectiveness 5/5
Aims to set dieters up for a healthier lifjestyle with renewed eating habits
Ease of use 3/5
Meals are pre-made calorie controlled meals, minimizing preperation if you are single, but might double your food prep times if you have to cook for others also
Cost 2/5
Cost is maybe more efffective for those who eat out a lot but not so much for those on a tight budget or with a whole family where there would be doubling up on food
Taste 3/5
Flexibility allows members to switch and choose to suit their tastes
Satiety 3/5
Smaller serving sizes but adding vegetables and fruit to servings helps
Health 5/5
This is a program that promotes moderate maintainable weight loss based around a balanced diet with smaller serving sizes and the development of healthier eating habits
Total: 24/35 More Jenny Craigs >>
Raw Food Diet
Short Term effectiveness 4/5
Low calorie and carb intake should result in significant weight loss for most
Long Term effectiveness 3/5
Can work if strictly adhered to but the difficulty and commitment involved may result in some struggling
Ease of use 2/5
No counting calories or cooking but involves a lot of planning and difficulty eating with others
Cost 3/5
Moderate depending on seasons and foods chosen
Taste 2/5
Probably not very tasty compared to the mainstream eating habits of the modern world
Satiety 5/5
Very low calorie diet consisting of very filling foods
Health 4/5
Well balanced except special attention maybe needed to ensure carbohydrate intake is adequate
Total: 23/35 More Raw Food Diet >>
Best For Life Diet
Short Term effectiveness 2/5
This diets focus is long term. It has phases and to begin with there is more an emphasis on exercise then diet
Long Term effectiveness 4/5
Oprah swears by it. After completing all phases of the diet, one should have lost weight at a healthy speed and developed good eating habits
Ease of use 3/5
The diet is clear about its guidelines but this is no easy fix which is why it is broken up into phases. This wil require some work and commitment on the part of the dieter
Cost 3/5
Fresh food and produce recommended in this diet should be about the average of a normal persons/families grocery shopping
Taste 3/5
Allows a large variety of good food but a lot of food to be removed from the diet may result in a bland diet
Satiety 4/5
Foods eaten in this diet contain whole grains and other foods that can be quite filling
Health 4/5
The diet supports the basics of what types of foods we should avoid and what types we should focus our diet around. It also includes exercise plans
Total: 23/35 More Best For Life Diet >>
South Beach Diet
Short Term effectiveness 4/5
Phase 1 and 2 are effective at weight loss and reaching target goals
Long Term effectiveness 4/5
Once at a healthy weight, the last phase is made up of a well balanced diet with low GI carbs
Ease of use 3/5
Can be difficult for those who will miss carbs but the phases ease dieters into it
Cost 2/5
Diet predominately made up of lean meat can be expensive
Taste 2.5/5
Good if you like your meat and don't care much for fruit and veges
Satiety 3/5
Low carb can be difficult for some but portion sizes of allowed foods aren't restricted
Health 4/5
The diet was originaly designed for heart disease sufferers , Particularly the 3rd phase with its low GI component and balanced range of allowed
Total: 22.5/35 More South Beach Diet >>
Slimfast/ Replacement Meals
Short Term effectiveness 4/5
When 2 or more meals are replaced by this program weight loss will occur rapidly. A combination of fat, muscle and water
Long Term effectiveness 3/5
Replacement diets are generallly only recommended for reaching target goals. Then real foods are recommended and for many, this will result in weight returning
Ease of use 5/5
These diets are very easy - since they don't require whole foods to prepare they will generally come in a convenient form like a bar or a shake
Cost 2/5
They may be expensive for a shake or a bar but not when compared to a meal composed of meat, breads etc
Taste 3/5
Compared to meal dieters are used to eating, it may not feel like a dieter is eating "real" food
Satiety 3/5
Given the portion sizes and the form in which these meals take, they may feel like a snack rather then an actual meal
Health 3/5
Meal replacements are generally formulated to include most the vitamins and minerals your body needs but they will miss some. At the end of the day, there is no real replacement for real foods
Total: 23/35 More Slimfast/ Replacement Meals >>
Special K Diet
Short Term effectiveness 4/5
2 meals replaced with a bowl of cereal, skim milk and fruit will result in a lower calorie diet.
Long Term effectiveness 1/5
It is not recommended long term. Though short term low calorie intake results in weight loss, this does not lead to a well balanced diet
Ease of use 4/5
Very easy, no cooking for the two meals and easy to do at home, work and school
Cost 5/5
Cheap - a box of cereal and a carton of skim milk can go a long way
Taste 3/5
Tasty enough but having a meal many are accustomed to breakfast for lunch or dinner, may become boring and bland quickly
Satiety 2/5
Serving sizes and contents may result in being very hungry
Health 2/5
Though probably healthier than the meal many people would have in their daily diets, 2 meals of special K a day would result in a deficiency of many nutrients and vitamins while doing little to establish new healthy eating patterns for the long term
Total: 21/35 More Special K Diet >>
Cabbage Soup Diet
Short Term effectiveness 5/5
Extremely low calorie intake
Long Term effectiveness 2/5
Not recommended for more then 3 weeks
Ease of use 4/5
Very easy to prepare meals unless you're cooking for others in the household not on the diet
Cost 5/5
Very cheap basic ingredients
Taste 2/5
Very small range of foods. Bland soup. Bland diet.
Satiety 2/5
Allowed foods can be eaten unrestricted but dieters are likely to crave many other foods
Health 0/5
Essentially a crash/fat diet that is too low in calories and void of many nutrients and vitamins
Total: 20/35 More Cabbage Soup Diet >>
Scarsdale Diet
Short Term effectiveness 4/5
Low calorie and low carbohydrate intake should result in fat, fluid and some lean tissue loss
Long Term effectiveness 3/5
The periodic variation of this diet eases the dietary pressure but has been knocked from a taste point of view
Ease of use 3/5
First two weeks are strict, recipes aren't basic and may even have trouble finding ingredients
Cost 3/5
More expensive then the average diet
Taste 2/5
Not considered very tasty
Satiety 3/5
High protein and vegetable content can be satisfying but otherwise not very tasty
Health 1/5
Protein levels are too high, the calorie count is too low with weekly weight loss above nutritional recommendations
Total: 19/35 More Scarsdale Diet >>
Atkins Diet/Low Carb
Short Term effectiveness 5/5
Results in rapid weight loss
Long Term effectiveness 5/5
If adhered to in the long term, one can maintain their weight
Ease of use 2/5
The amount of carbohydrates you can eat need to be measured. This can be annoying and difficult to do away from the home
Cost 1/5
Carbohydate products banned from this diet are the cheap ones. High protein and salads of this diet are often expensive
Taste 2/5
Bans many foods that many people would enjoy. Great if you like meat, meat and more meat
Satiety 3/5
Low carb diet may bring on ketosis making dieters feel full but the absence of carbs may be missed by many
Health 0/5
Low carb, high protein and high fat diets are not recommended by most health professionals. It results in low fibre and intake of many vitamins and minerals
Total: 18/35 More Atkins Diet >>
Detox Diet
Short Term effectiveness 5/5
As detox diets most often involve starvation there is a good chance of rapidly losing a lot of water and probably muscle too
Long Term effectiveness 1/5
Unless the diet doesn't involve steps that gradually introduce good foods back into the diet, after starving the weight loss will not be maintainable and may even result in fat gain and muscle loss
Ease of use 3/5
It's very easy - as you may only be drinking fluid. If the diet has any solids it will probably just vegetables and brown rice. Very basic.
Cost 1/5
These should be cheap unless the specific diet calls for a specific ingredient like the lemon/maple syrup detox diet where the main ingredient is quite expensive
Taste 1/5
If you like the taste of water, lemon and maybe some brown rice and vegetables then you may like these diets. Otherwise you may find them bland
Satiety /5
At least for the first few days most detox diets require you to eat very little. Some just liquids and those that allow you to eat the most will still be very minimial. Brown rice can be filling if they allow.
Health /5
Detox diets may pull dieters in by the idea of losing lots of weight fast. Long term, weight loss from these diets are most likely unmaintainable unless good foods are re-introduced. These diets are definicient of many vitamins and minerals.
