FullBar Diet Plan

February 23, 2011 by  
Filed under Diet Trends

What is your number one complaint on a diet? If you’re like most people, you probably don’t feel like you get enough to eat, enduring a constantly growling stomach. Some dieters even feel like they are starving. Well, starve no more. Take a look at the FullBar diet.

How the FullBar Plan Works

One of the reasons we gain weight in the first place is because we eat too much before we feel full. The brain seems to shut that “feel full” mechanism off way too late; sometimes long after we’ve eaten the entire bag of chips or half a bucket of ice cream.

Dr. Michael Snyder, a bariatric surgeon, came up with the FullBar system for weight loss based on weight loss surgery. After surgery, the stomach is much smaller so the person feels full faster. The FullBar program is designed to increase your fullness before meals so that you eat less and lose weight. The bars will fill up a good portion of your stomach space and accomplish the same goal without going through surgery.

Using the FullBar plan, you’ll eat a bar about half an hour before lunch and dinner. By the time you are ready to eat, you will have less room for the food. Of course, you’ll still want to make healthy food choices, but you’ll eat less of it and you won’t feel deprived. Breakfast is eaten without the additional FullBar, but you will make healthier menu choices.

The object of this plan is to notice how full you feel in the 30 minutes after you eat the bar. You want to feel full enough to not eat too much, but not so full that you want to skip a meal. This isn’t about meal replacement; it’s about eating smaller portions.

Results

With this plan, people are losing weight without feeling hungry. Hunger is the one thing that drives people to throw their diet out the window and rifle through the pantry for anything edible, usually coming up with fatty and sugary snacks. That “feeling empty” problem is solved with this diet plan. This is an online program in which you can order your bars. However, some national drug store chains have started carrying them.

There is also a line of products offered besides the original FullBar. You can find snacks that curb your appetite and treats for the sweet tooth. All are designed to fill you up.

Here’s the Skinny

Besides the FullBar, Dr. Snyder also provides information on his website to help you make healthy food choices for all your meals each day. He gives tips on tracking calories, choosing the right foods to speed up your metabolism, and how to incorporate exercise into your diet plan. Because this plan was developed by a doctor, there is expert support available if you have questions. You’ll also find a community of other FullBar users to chat with in order to compare notes and cheer each other on.

Feeling hungry all the time when you’re on a diet is no fun and it makes the dieting process more difficult than it has to be. Wouldn’t it be great to feel full all the time so you eat less and don’t think about food all the time? For a unique approach to weight loss developed around the science of a full tummy, try the FullBar diet plan.

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Duke Diet

February 23, 2011 by  
Filed under Diet Trends

If going it alone while dieting sounds like a pit of despair, you will most likely need constant support and reinforcement along your dieting journey. This may be the time to try the Duke diet.

The Duke diet was created at the Duke Diet and Fitness Center in Durham, North Carolina. It began as a residential diet program and is still being used today. Now, with online diet programs, millions of people who don’t live nearby a residential program can enjoy the benefits of the Duke diet.

How the Duke Plan Works

Doctors have taken the essence of the residential program and put it online. Here, members will learn how to view and control four areas: diet, exercise, behavior, and medical. Nutrition is emphasized because many participants don’t understand how to eat or what to eat to lose weight.

The program offers an online database with hundreds of recipes to choose from for meal ideas. The Duke diet also develops a customized meal plan based on your needs so that all you have to do is prepare the meals.

Exercise is one of the keys to weight loss. Online, you can find videos and pictures of exercises you can do at home to increase your activity level. As always, start slow and increase as you become more comfortable.

The behavior portion helps you understand food and your relationship with it. As you learn to see food differently, you also learn to separate emotions from eating.

Those who lose weight improve their health. By losing even ten percent of your body weight, you can lower your risk of diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. Another concern is high cholesterol levels, which can contribute to strokes. Weight loss can certainly reduce these risks.

Results

With today’s busy lifestyles, being able to interact and take control of your diet online is one way to develop a successful weight loss program. This program is backed by doctors and sound research. If you want help along the way, this plan is designed to give you all the support you need.

Your chance of success is increased with several dieting and weight loss tools. These tools include a food log, personal coaching, customized fitness and eating plans, and behavioral testing.

Here’s the Skinny

This is not a quick weight loss plan. Instead, this plan teaches you how to change your life habits. The online program is much less expensive than the residential program, which makes it available to more people. For those with a severe weight problem, or issues with emotional issues concerning their weight, the support and validation are invaluable.

For long term lifestyle changes, which we all know is the only way to keep the weight off, give the Duke diet a try.

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Diet-to-Go

January 11, 2011 by  
Filed under Diet Trends

Convenience is a big consideration in today’s society. We are like busy bees running from flower to flower, what with work, kids, community affairs, and social commitments. All we want to do is get back to the hive. But when we do, there’s honey to be made and we’re just too tired. This is where the Diet-to-Go can help you out.

How the Diet-to-Go Plan Works

This is a meal delivery service that can help you lose weight with one of three plans: low fat vegetarian, low fat traditional, and low carb. You pick your plan based on your dietary needs. If you are not sure about what you might need, there are representatives you can talk to who can recommend one. Online, you would fill out a bit of information to help choose your plan.

The plans have two caloric options; 1200 and 1600. Depending on your needs, you can go higher or lower. Then, they send you all the food you need – everything. You will receive complete meals that even include your beverages you can have and fruit and vegetables. Other diet plans provide the main course and you add the greens, but not with this one. They ship everything.

Results

People have found success with this diet plan. Nothing is left to chance. When you have fresh meals delivered to your door weekly, there is no reason to fire up the stove for yourself. There are also Diet-to-Go locations in some cities where you have the option of picking up your meals right from their kitchen.

Those on the diet say that the food is restaurant quality and not lacking in taste. Other diet meal delivery plans can lack the nuances of taste which is important when dieting. If you don’t like the food, you are less likely to follow the plan to the letter. This particular diet plan is notably tasty and gets rave reviews.

Here’s the Skinny

Like other plans, there is an expense involved. All of this delicious food can be yours to the tune of about $600 per month. If you can afford it, your kitchen will miss you.

You can order your food online for your convenience. There is a forum for members to read containing posts about health-related topics. The plan does not stress exercise so you are on your own to add that component.

If convenience is crucial when choosing a plan, Diet-to-Go may be the solution.

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Denise Austin Diet And Exercise Plan

December 26, 2010 by  
Filed under Diet Trends

You may already know Denise Austin as a fitness guru, the little dynamo that has graced videos and television programs for many years. Her approach to exercise is personal and direct and her exercises are designed for anyone to do at all fitness levels; and she gets results.

How the Denise Austin Diet and exercise Plan Works

Using the online program, you will have access to an extensive recipe library to create meals that you can enjoy without guilt. A customized meal planner helps you choose daily meals that are within your recommended caloric intake so you can lose weight without any guesswork. You’ll also be able to prepare grocery lists with her menu planning tools.

The fitness portion (her specialty) gives you a variety of exercises designed to speed up your metabolism, build muscle and strength, and shed unwanted pounds from your frame. She uses a variety of exercise disciplines like strength training, aerobics, and yoga to get your body in the best shape possible.

Results

This is a lifestyle changing plan and not a quick fix plan. Following her guidelines, your body will start to release that unwanted weight, at any age! She provides a Feel Good section in her program with daily thoughts to motivate you to feel good about yourself at every stage of the weight loss process.

Because the program is easy to follow and the exercises are made for all ages, many people have found the ease of the program just right for them.

Here’s the Skinny

At first glance, Denise Austin’s diet and exercise plan might seem like so many others that are online. But look again. The uniqueness of this program might be attributed to the personality of Denise Austin. She motivates and encourages with her presence. She also devotes time to helping older people overcome age-related obstacles, get the weight off, get stronger, and feel better.

The program seems to be geared towards women, but men can benefit as well. With a low priced online membership, you may want to buy her videos to enhance your diet and exercise program. She uses a basic approach to weight loss that promises results if you follow the plan.

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Bistro MD Diet Plan

December 19, 2010 by  
Filed under Diet Trends

Do you have a team of nutritionists overseeing every meal in your house? No? Then how about the next best thing – Bistro MD. It is a diet plan that has everyone talking.

How the Bistro MD Diet Plan Works

These meals are doctor approved restaurant quality meals that will leave you feeling satisfied while losing weight. The meals are delivered to your door each week. Here is how it all works.

You have four meal plans to choose from; 5 day and 7 day weekly meal plans, with and without snacks. The meals include things like bagels, Moroccan chicken, and French dip and steak burritos. The meals are rotated on a regular basis so you won’t get bored.

You work with a nutritionist who chooses a plan for you, customized with meals to suit your dietary needs. After choosing a plan, you can then choose a weight loss menu specifically designed to address any health issues. A nutritionist will work with you to find the right combination of foods to lower cholesterol, reduce sodium and/or sugar intake, and set a proper caloric intake. People with special needs, for instance, diabetics, will receive menus specifically chosen for their health concerns.

When your personalized menu plan is ready, the meals are shipped to your door, fresh for you to enjoy. You don’t have to do any calorie counting and every meal seems like a dinner out because somebody else does the planning, shopping, and preparing. And, the meals are very nearly like an entree in a good restaurant.

Results

This diet helps people lose weight while feeling full and satisfied. The meals are tasty, real honest-to-goodness food. The dishes can be heated in a jiffy so there is no excuse not to eat well and healthy even with a busy schedule. The online ordering is easy and you have phone access to a nutritionist and customer service so you can contact a real person when needed.

Meals delivered right to your door can help you stay on track with your diet on a busy schedule. There will be no more stopping at a fast food restaurant on the way home after work. You also won’t need to snack on unhealthy foods when time is short and you don’t feel like cooking. Your meals are waiting for you when you get home.

Here’s the Skinny

The meals are not cheap. You could spend upwards of $200 per week for a seven day meal plan with healthy snacks. The diet is designed to help you lose weight with your current level of activity so it doesn’t stress exercise. Adding in exercise will almost certainly boost your weight loss efforts.

There are helpful articles available to teach you about nutrition for yourself and your family and how to balance your eating habits. You can use this information to build a healthy diet for your family even if you are the only one using the delivery plan. There is also some information on exercise in the way of articles to help you understand its importance.

Do you want to eat well and still lose weight? Consider the Bistro MD diet plan. It’s gaining in popularity because it’s convenient, tasty, and it works.

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90/10 Diet Plan by Joy Bauer

December 10, 2010 by  
Filed under Diet Trends

Joy Bauer has taken her perky nutrition and health advise she dispenses on The Today Show and created a diet that can help people lose weight the right way.

How the 90/10 diet Plan Works

The basics of the plan are simple; you eat a healthy diet 90 percent of the time and 10 percent of the time you are allowed other foods. Those other foods would be “comfort foods.” In her book, she calls them “fun foods” which removes the stigma of being naughty or forbidden foods.

Her book is the basis for the plan – “The 90/10 Weight-Loss Plan: A Scientifically Designed Balance of Healthy Foods and Fun Foods.” For the 90 percent, she offers two weeks of meal plans to get you started. During this time you learn about portion control, the amount of calories you should be eating for your body and how to get the good foods in that you need without feeling deprived. There are three diet plans in the book based on calorie consumption – 1200, 1400, and 1600.

There is even a list of “fun foods” for you to examine. It is a fact that when you feel like you can’t have something, you will want to eat it even more. Having a list of these foods puts some dimensions and measures on the excesses we can enjoy.

Results

This diet plan is great for those who don’t like to be told what to eat all the time. You are given guidelines to help you choose what foods are healthy for you. Many people have found success with this plan because this diet doesn’t have a lot of rules to contend with, so it can fit into plenty of lifestyles.

Here’s the Skinny

For people who need more control, this may not be the diet for you. But, if counting calories seems cumbersome to you, this may work great. You can follow the sample meal plans or come up with your own from the other foods mentioned.

One drawback is the fun foods – not eating them but fitting them in. you will have to breakdown your calories so you can include them each day without going over your limit. But, your food choices (pick filling foods) will determine how much satisfaction you get out of each calorie. This plan doesn’t stress exercise but it is important to add in.

Want your cake and your broccoli? Try the 90/10 diet plan.

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The Volumetrics Eating Plan

May 24, 2010 by  
Filed under Diet Trends

When you go on a diet, how do you feel? Are you happy and energized, or cranky and starving? Many diets, especially fad diets, require a drastic reduction in food intake, and that’s one of the biggest reason people cheat. And as we all know, cheating on a diet leads to failure.

A diet that leaves us feeling full while cutting fat and calories might seem like a pipe dream, but according to nutritionist Barbara Rolls, it’s not. By eating foods with a low calorie density, we can feel satiated without adding pounds. This is the idea behind the Volumetrics eating plan.

Rolls literally wrote the book on Volumetrics. As director of the Laboratory for the Study of Human Ingestive Behavior at Penn State, she has done extensive research on eating habits. Her first book, The Volumetrics Weight-Control Plan, was published in 2002. She followed it up in 2007 with The Volumetrics Eating Plan, which includes more recipes.

What Is Calorie Density?

The Volumetrics approach to weight loss relies on the concept of calorie density. Just as it sounds, calorie density represents the number of calories in a given volume of food. For example, consider a cookie and a slice of apple, both of which weigh the same amount. The cookie has more calories than the apple slice, therefore it has a greater calorie density.

The least calorie dense foods have a high water content. Since water contains no calories, the calorie content of such foods is less than the same amount of a food that is made up primarily of oil. Yet both foods are similarly filling.

Fruits and vegetables are among the least calorie-dense foods because they are usually 80 to 95 percent water. Other foods with a low calorie density include broth, skim milk and vegetable soup. Foods that are dense in calories include nuts, chocolate, chips and butter.

The concept of calorie density is also applied to cooking. Egg whites are substituted for whole eggs, applesauce is used in place of oil, and skim milk is used instead of whole milk. Such substitutions make it possible to enjoy many of our old favorites without eating as many calories.

The Volumetrics Eating Plan includes listings of the energy density of many popular foods, as well as a formula for calculating the calorie density of any food. It also provides guidance on increasing physical activity. Rolls also suggests that dieters keep a record of the foods they eat and the physical activities they participate in so that they may identify problem areas.

Volumetrics is reported to have a high success rate, and it is reasonably easy to follow. It is also less restrictive than most diets, allowing even calorie-dense foods in small amounts. Those who attribute their diet failures to constant hunger will find that the Volumetrics Eating Plan is a welcome change of pace.

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The Sonoma Diet

March 2, 2010 by  
Filed under Diet Trends

When you think of a diet, do you see visions of plain rice cakes and steamed cabbage? For those of us who love the taste of good food, the idea of going on a diet may make us cringe. So when a diet comes along that emphasizes enjoying food, it’s almost certain to be a hit.

One such diet is the Sonoma Diet. Conceived by Connie Guttersen, who is a registered dietician, the diet takes its name from California’s Sonoma Valley. Sonoma Valley is well known for its wine industry and Mediterranean style. Similarly, the Sonoma Diet has a distinct Mediterranean flavor and allows the consumption of wine.

Concepts of the Sonoma Diet

At the core of the Sonoma Diet are ten so-called “power foods.” These foods are used heavily in the diet due to their superior nutritional value. They are:

* Almonds – These tasty nuts are a good source of protein and heart-healthy fats.
* Bell peppers – Bell peppers are low in calories, but high in vitamins and flavor.
* Blueberries – Included on many lists of the most nutritious foods, blueberries contain high levels of antioxidants.
* Broccoli – This vegetable is high in vitamin C and calcium.
* Grapes – Grapes are loaded with phytonutrients, both in fruit and wine form.
* Extra-virgin olive oil – Unlike most oils, this oil has lots of antioxidants and may lower cholesterol.
* Spinach – This is another low-calorie food that is packed with vitamins and minerals.
* Strawberries – The strawberry, a favorite fruit to eat raw, contains lots of antioxidants and is quite filling.
* Tomatoes – Is always a popular food and also high in nutritional value.
* Whole grains – Whole grains give us energy and raise metabolism.

The Sonoma Diet is divided into three phases. The first phase is the most restrictive, but only lasts 10 days. The second phase increases calorie intake by 200-300 calories and allows more foods. The third phase is the maintenance phase, and is intended to be followed for life.

Unlike most diets, the Sonoma Diet does not encourage counting calories. Instead, dieters are required to control portion sizes. Breakfast is limited to the amount of food that will fit in a 7-inch bowl or plate, while lunch and dinner are served on a 9-inch plate.

Advantages and Disadvantages

The Sonoma Diet encourages the consumption of flavorful foods, something that many diets fail to do. It is also high in nutritional value, incorporating many healthy raw foods. In addition to the Sonoma Diet book, dieters can also take advantage of an online meal planner and community.

Critics say that the Sonoma Diet is too low on calories for the average dieter. There are also a number of forbidden foods and little flexibility. Although the Sonoma Diet is not purported to be a low-carb diet, it does not contain very many carbs, particularly in the first phase.

The Sonoma Diet offers something different for dieters who are not impressed with standard diet foods. The method of portion control is easy to understand, and the emphasis is on the foods you can eat rather than the ones you can’t. If you enjoy cooking and eating flavorful foods, this might be the diet for you.

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Raw Food Eating Plans

February 19, 2010 by  
Filed under Diet Trends

It’s much more difficult to eat healthy today than it was in ancient times. Eating processed foods has become a way of life in modern times, and this has had a profound effect on people’s health. But a growing number of health-conscious individuals are choosing to go back to the basics.

Eating only raw foods might seem impossible, but the practice has become surprisingly popular. Many nutritionists have bucked the conventional belief that humans need to consume cooked meats and pasteurized dairy products to get the nutrition they need. They have written books about eating raw and developed raw food eating plans, and many of those who want to lose weight or improve their health have taken heed.

Raw food diets are strictly limited in the foods one may eat, but they rarely place restrictions on portions. Since foods that do not need to be cooked are usually naturally low in fat and contain only natural sugars, there is little need to limit their intake. Those with certain health problems such as diabetes, however, may need to pay closer attention to the calorie content and nutritional value of raw foods.

Nutrition in the Raw Food Diet

The primary components of a raw food diet are fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. Fruits and vegetables are loaded with fiber, vitamins and minerals, and nuts and seeds provide the protein and fatty acids our bodies need. Still, many nutritionists are concerned about adequate intake of calcium and protein on a raw food diet.

It is possible to get sufficient protein and calcium with only raw foods if you eat enough of foods that contain these nutrients. If you can’t do that, you’ll either need to get them some other way. Supplements are an option for those who are adamant about eating only raw foods. But being on a raw food diet doesn’t necessarily mean that you can’t eat anything that is cooked.

It’s Not All or Nothing

There’s no doubt that a 100 percent raw food diet is hard for most people to stick with. For this reason, and because it’s easier to get all of the nutrition one needs from a less restrictive diet, most people do not limit themselves to only raw foods. Many raw food plans allow for some consumption of cooked foods, and in some cases they may make up as much as half of a person’s diet.

When starting out on a raw food diet, people often commit to eating half raw and half cooked foods. They may aim to increase the percentage of raw food once they become accustomed to that, and continue until they reach 100 percent. But often, dieters who are going raw for health reasons allow themselves at least 20 percent cooked foods.

Eating raw is an intimidating proposition for many, but it does have numerous benefits. It can greatly improve overall health, and for those who want to lose weight, it can help shed pounds quickly. Many report increased energy when eating only raw foods as well. Such a diet requires a great deal of willpower, but loyalists proclaim that it is well worth the effort.

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The F.A.S.T. Diet

January 31, 2010 by  
Filed under Diet Trends

Dieting is hard. Some diets are just so restrictive that they set us up for failure. Others are more reasonable, but making the lifestyle changes that are necessary to lose weight is no small task. We need lots of support to keep us motivated and see us through the tough times if we are to succeed.

Many weight loss programs are designed around this concept. Programs such as Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig organize weekly meetings where members can weigh in, socialize and get advice and support. But aside from those meetings, they are usually on their own. The F.A.S.T. Diet was designed to eliminate this problem.

Tony Dean came up with the idea for the F.A.S.T. Diet when he became determined to help his own family get into shape. He organized the family into two-person teams, and teammates provided support and accountability to one another. He developed nutrition and exercise plans based on each individual’s needs and arranged for personal trainers. Within a year, the family had lost a total of 500 pounds. Dean realized that he was onto something, so he wrote a book and started helping other groups set up similar programs.

How It Works

The diet and exercise plans in the F.A.S.T. Diet are not particularly unique. They involve tailoring calorie and nutritional needs to each participant and designing a workout routine that can be built upon each day. Dieters are asked to record everything they eat and drink, as well as their exercise numbers. This helps hold them accountable and assists in identifying problems that could hinder weight loss.

The diet component of the plan takes a rather old-school approach. Participants must calculate their basal metabolic rate (BMR) to figure out how many calories they must limit themselves to each day. They are also given a number of fat, protein and carbohydrate grams that they must not exceed. While tracking calories and nutrients is a lot of work, the good news is that there are no forbidden foods.

The exercise plan consists of a 30- to 60-minute workout each day. Participants may work out at the gym or on home fitness equipment, but it’s not necessary. Exercises that require no equipment such and walking can provide comparable results.

Personalized Support

In addition to writing The F.A.S.T. Diet and traveling to help large groups lose weight, Dean has set up an online diet and fitness plan. Members get one-on-one training and support, informative and motivational e-mails and phone calls and tools to help maintain their weight loss. Membership is more expensive than most online diet plans, but it also includes a much higher level of personal support.

The F.A.S.T. Diet is far from a quick fix, but it utilizes the support of close friends and family members to increase everyone’s chance at success. There’s just something about being accountable to a partner and a group that prevents failure from being an option. So if you and your family need to lose weight, the F.A.S.T. Diet could be just what you need.

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