Food – Quick Diet Guide

Quick Diet Guide

Below is a summary of each of the diets I researched. I put my findings on the Food is the Fuel of Life page. For each diet, I included a very high level description that includes how hard I THINK the diet is to stick to. I based this on my experience and your results may vary. I have also included information about what kinds of food are in/out of the diet.

What will I be eating is one of the first questions I think about when evaluating a diet.

Remember this is forever so really consider if this is right for you.

Next is activity. Most of the diets required some bit of activity. How much activity do you want to do? This is another thing to think about while picking. Personally I want to be active on most days so I am looking for a diet that encourages this.

The Source column is a link to the diet review I used to fill in all of the previous columns. If a diet catches your eye take a look at the entire review or move to the last column and look at the resource(s) I picked from Amazon. I tried to include a book for each diet and at least one cookbook. In some cases I couldn’t find much new information or any cookbooks. Owned are books I own. The number has increased as I completed my research and will no doubt go up more over the coming months. Look at the cookbooks for diets similar to the one you choose.

It’s OK to eat other recipes as long as they follow the structure of your chosen diet.

If you have a favorite diet that’s not in the list please put it in the comments and I will see what research material is available. Also if you love a book that isn’t list let me know and I will add it.

Name	Description	Food Emphasis	Activity Level	Source	Further Reading from Amazon.com
3-Hour diet	The hypothesis of the diet is that if you go longer than 3 hours without eating the body goes into starvation mode. On this diet, the dieter eats at very specific times (7am, 10am, 1pm, 4pm, 7pm and 10pm). You don't need to give up your favorite foods. You also don't need to exercise. Founder says that you will continue to loose weight as long as you stay on the diet. Ease for dieter - Meduim	Portion Control Includes Processed foods Maintenance Plan - Lifetime	No Activity Required	Source - Health Line	Considered:
5-2 diet	The hypothesis of this diet is that if you can control yourself on just two days a week you will be able to lose weight. The recommendation is to eat normal 5 days each week and to fast for 2 days each week. On fasting days the dieter eats 500 calories (women) or 600 calories (men). Ease for dieter - Hard/Meduim	Extreme calorie control on fasting day Different calorie control on non-fasting days (based on BMI, BMR and TDEE) Maintenance Plan - Lifetime. Can change the number of fasting days to one for maintenance	Activity level is used to calculate how many calories to eat on non-fasting days Suggests water	Source - The 5:2 Fast Diet	Owned: Considered:
Atkins diet	The hypothesis is that carbohydrates cause a spike in blood sugar levels and leads to storing fat. The diet limits carbs severely at the beginning and slowly introduces them back into diet. Ease for dieter - Meduim	Low Carb - In stage 1, dieter eats 20 grams per day High Protein High Fat Maintenance Plan - Yes. 45 to 100 grams of carb per day.	No Activity Required	Source - Healthline	Considered:
Baby Food Diet	This diet is considered a maintenance diet. The hypothesis is that the dieter replaces two meals a day with an undisclosed amount of baby food. Including fruit, vegetables and meat. Ease for dieter - Could be hard to stick to.	Portion Control Expensive Low Fiber Maintenance Plan - No	No Activity Required	Source - Everyday Health	Considered:
Best Life diet	The hypothesis of this diet is that you can change the way you eat, exercise and live you will be healthier. It's goal is to determine why the dieter over eats. Ease for dieter - Hard/Medium The first stage is a quick stop to foods that you may be used to. You will need to know your way around the kitchen.	Natural unprocessed food Portion Control low fat low sugar Staged Approached Maintenance Plan - Lifetime	Activitiy ramps up during this diet Includes supplements Suggests water	Source - WebMD	Considered:
Biggest Loser diet	The hypothesis of this diet is that by greatly reducing the number of calories consumed and increasing exercising the dieter will see dramatic results. The plan has daily menus that stresses servings of 4 or more vegetables/fruits, 3 proteins, 2 whole grains and a 1200 calorie serving of something forbidden. Ease for dieter - Meduim	Low Calorie High Protein USDA suggests 3 ounce lean meat portions while the diet suggests 8 ounce portions. Portion Control Maintenance Plan - No	Ramp up to high activity Includes supplements Suggests water	Source - Everyday Health	Considered:
Blood Type diet	The hypothesis for this diet is that the dieter needs to eat foods that were abundant where each blood type originated. Not a lot of scientific evidence to support diet, but it does stress that diets need to be specific to the dieter. Ease for dieter - Easy if you already eat the category of foods recommended, otherwise it could be quite hard for a mostly carnivore to become a vegetarian.	Limits are specific to your blood type. Maintenance Plan - Lifetime	Activity level specific to blood type. Levels range from low (Type A) to Intense (Type O) to rigorous (Type AB)	Source - Health Line	Considered:
Cabbage Soup diet	The hypothesis of this diet is that the dieter is so motivated to loose 10 pounds in a week that they will eat cabbage soup everyday for 7 days. Each day adds fruit or vegetables or meat. Ease for dieter - Easy if you really like cabbage	Portion control Natural unprocessed food Maintenance Plan - No	No Activity Required	Source - Health Line	Considered:
Caveman (Paleo) diet	The hypothesis of this diet is to eat like a caveman and to only eat goods that would have been readily available. Some plans also call for intermittent fasting. Some also call for one meal a day. Ease for dieter - Hard to give up carbs and still remain social.	High Protein High Fiber Natural foods No calorie control No Carbs No Processed food No Wheat No Dairy No Grains No Legumes Maintenance Plan - Lifetime	No Activity Required Suggests water	Source - Health Line	Owned: Considered:
Cheater's diet	The hypothesis of this diet is that if a dieter is able to "cheat" from Saturday morning (9:00am) - Sunday night (9:00pm) they will be able to stick to their diet during the week. Ease for dieter - Medium	Low Calorie/Fat during the week High Calorie/Fat during the weekend Portion control Natural foods during the week Processed foods during the weekend Maintenance Plan - Lifetime	Activity is encouraged. Yard work and walking are included. Includes supplements	Source - Everyday Health	Considered:
Cookie diet	The hypothesis of this diet is that by replacing what you would normally eat with prepackage cookies you will lose weight. The dieter will be eating about 800 calories per day. Ease for dieter - Hard	Low fruit, grains and fiber Processed food Originated in 1975 Maintenance Plan - No	No Activity Required	Everyday Health	Considered:
Fat Flush diet	The hypothesis of this diet is that the liver is a fat-burning furnace and that by eating the right food at the right time the dieter will increase their metabolism and burn fat efficiently. Little scientific proof. Ease for dieter - Hard	Staged Approach Phase 1 is essentially a juice diet Significant calorie restriction Food Diary Required Maintenance Plan - Phase 3	30-45 Minutes of Exercise 5 days per week	Source - Health Line	Considered:
French Women diet	They hypothesis of this diet is that eating smaller amounts of high quality food and really enjoying the food will lead to a better relationship with food. Dieters can also enjoy leak soup for a weekend to kick start weight loss. Ease for dieter - Medium	Natural Food (no processed foods) Eating slowly Food Quality over Qunaitity Food Journal Maintenance Plan - Lifetime	Walking and Light Weights	Source - WebMD	Considered:
Glycemic index diet	This diet relies on the Glycemic Index to categorize foods. Higher numbers indicate food that is broken down to glucose more quickly. Lower numbers indicate food that takes longer to breakdown. The hypothesis is that the longer it takes to break the food down, the longer until the dieter will be hungry again. Harvard Health Publications - Glycemic Index and glycemic load for 100+ foods Ease for dieter - Medium	Natural Food Portion Control Foods are grouped by Glycemic Index numbers into Green-Light (eat from this group until you reach your weight target). Yellow-Light are allowed in moderation during maintenance. Red-Light are NEVER allowed. Maintenance Plan - Lifetime via Maintenance stage	No Activity Required	Source - Everyday Health	<Considered:
Grapefruit diet	The hypothesis of this diet is that a magical fat burning enzyme in grapefruit will help you lose weight for a big event in your life. The diet is 12 days of < 1000 calories per day. Ease for dieter - Hard - Food is repetitive and has very little variety.	High Protein No Extremely Hot or Cold foods Low Calorie/Carb No aluminum pans Maintenance Plan - No	No Activity Required	Source - Health Line	Considered:
Gut diet (Microbiome)	The hypothesis for this diet is that a dieters gut contains an ecosystem that may contribute to the dieters weight and overall health. A dieter should eat foods to feed the "good" organisms more than the "bad". Ease for dieter - Hard/Medium - Really a new-ish concept, hard to find good information.	Stesses Nautual unprocessed food "Eat food. Not too much, Mostly Plants." Take and/or Eat probiotics High Plant Fiber Maintenance Plan - Lifetime	Exercise is encouraged but no amounts given	Source - Food Network	Owned: Considered:
The Hallelujah Diet	The hypothesis for this diet is to follow the dietary standards found in the bible. Ease for dieter - Hard	Vegan diet Raw fruits, vegetables and soaked raw grains. Non-dairy Cheese and Milk No Salt or Pepper Natural unprocessed foods < 1,000 Calories per day Maintenance Plan - Lifetime	No Activity Required Includes supplements	Source - Everyday Health	Considered:
Hormone diet	The Hypothesis for this diet is hormone fluctuations have a negative affect on a person's weight. The diet consists of a six-week, three-step process to sync hormones via diet, exercise, supplements and detoxification. Ease for dieter - Hard - Getting hormones tested requires visits to the doctor, blood and saliva tests.	Phase 1 - Detoxification. Very restrictive. Large number of supplements. Phase 2 - Remove "Man made foods" Remove all processed/refined foods and nitrates. Phase 3 -Focused on physical and mental wellness. Maintenance Plan - No	Focus on third phase. Requires Supplements	Source - Health Line	Considered:
Jenny Craig diet	The hypothesis of this diet is that providing custom tailored plans and prepackaged food to dieters increases success. One on one counseling is also available. Ease for dieter - Medium / Easy	Low Calorie Pre-Packaged /Frozen Food One-on-One Counseling tailored to dieter Maintenance Plan - Lifetime	Custom Plan	Source - Health Link	Considered:
Joy Bauer's Your Inner Skinny diet	This diet (website) has many tools to use while losing weight. The dieter progresses thought 4 stages. Release, Relearn, Reshape, and Reveal. Ease for dieter - Hard / Medium - Need Kitchen Skills	Natural Food Low Calorie/Carb Trigger foods eliminated Mindful Easting Maintenance Plan - Lifetime via Reveal stage	Exercise is Emphasized. 30 Minutes/Day	Source - Everyday Health	Considered:
Ketogenic diet	The hypothesis of this diet is a dieter can change their metabolism to burn fat as a primary source of fuel. Ease for dieter - Hard	Low or no Carbs (less than 50 grams)/Sugar High Fat First two weeks are flu like. Used to treat Epilepsy (WebMD) Maintenance Plan - Lifetime	Used by many athletes Exercise is expected	Source - Men's Fitness	Considered:
Macrobiotic Diet	Macrobiotic mean "long life". The diet uses traditional cooking methods (baking, broiling, and steaming) to yin and yang balanced food. Yin = Cold or Sweet Yang = Salty or Hot. Many foods are on the no list and diet is primarily vegetarian with some fish. Ease for dieter - Hard, Little Variety	Natural unprocessed foods No animal products Consists primarily of beans, rice, soup and vegetables. Maintenance Plan - Lifetime	No activity mentioned	Source - Health Line	Considered:
Master Cleanse	The hypothesis of this diet is that the body needs a cleanse to rid it of deadly toxins and other impurities. Ease for dieter - Hard	Extremely low calorie Liquid Diet Maintenance Plan - No	No Activity Required Requires Supplements	Source - Health Line	Considered:
Mayo Clinic diet	The hypothesis of this diet is that dieters need to adopt a common-sense lifestyle that may help them trim down and maintain a healthier weight. Ease for dieter - Medium	Uses SMART goals Focuses on Long term success Uses the Food Pyramid The Plan Maintenance Plan - Lifetime	30 - 60 Minutes / Day most days of the week.	Source - Everyday Health	Considered:
Mediterranean diet	The hypothesis of this diet is that people that live around the Mediterranean are healthier because of the diet they naturally follow. Ease for dieter - This will be an easy diet if you don't need too much structure. If you need structure it may be difficult to get enough exercise and stick to potion control.	Portion control will need to be watched Focuses on what to eat every day, a few times a week and a few times a month. Eat mindfully Maintenance Plan - Lifetime	Activity each day.	Source - Health Line	Considered:
New Beverly Hills diet	The hypothesis of this diet is that foods are meant to be paired together and if you pair them incorrectly you will gain weight. Ease for dieter - Hard. Rules can be hard to follow/remember.	No Portion Control Some days are fruit only Champagne is a neutral and can be paired with anything. Maintenance Plan - Lifetime	No Activity Required	Source - Health Line	Considered:
Nutrisystem diet	The hypothesis of this diet is that they will provide most of the food a dieter eats. The dieter may purchase other food at the grocery store but for 28 days the dieter eats what is given to them. Ease for dieter - Easy while on the plan. Hard if the dieter decides to stop buying food.	Convenient Portion Size Low Calories Low Glycemic Index Carbs Maintenance Plan - Lifetime	30 Minutes / day that can be broken into 3 10 minute sessions.	Source - WebMD	Considered:
Personality Type diet	The hypothesis of this diet is that your personality type and your coping style determine the best plan. Simply take the quiz to get started. Ease for dieter - Hard/Medium. Must be honest on quiz and need to know your way around the kitchen.	Diet is tailored based on your answers. Natural unprocessed foods. (sample menu includes fast food?) Maintenance Plan - Lifetime	Activity Required and is based on quiz responses.	Source - Everyday Health	Considered:
Shangri-La diet	The hypothesis of this diet is that the body associates calories with flavor and that dieters need to change that association to stop overindulging. Ease for dieter - Hard	Only Bland and blended food 300 calories a day from sugar water an light olive oil (taken between meals) Maintenance Plan - Lifetime	No Activity Required	Source - Everyday Haelth	Considered:
Skinny Bitch diet	This diet is "a no-nonsense, tough-love guide for savvy girls who want to stop eating crap and start looking fabulous." Ease for dieter - Hard	No Sugar No White Flour No Meat No Dairy No Alcohol/Caffeine Vegan Diet Maintenance Plan - Lifetime	No Activity Required	Source - Health Line	Considered:
South Beach diet	The hypothesis of this diet is that healthy weight loss is achieved by removing refined carbohydrates and eating before you are hungry. Ease for dieter - Medium	No Refined Carbs Lean Protein Low Fat Dairy Natural unprocessed food Staged/Phased/Level Maintenance Plan - Lifetime	Activity Required	Source - Everyday Health	Considered:
Volumetrics diet	The hypothesis of this diet is that dieting should be more about eating than dieting. The plan stresses foods that have a"low energy density" like fruits and vegetables. Ease for dieter - Hard / Medium. Need to have kitchen skills.	Natural Unprocessed foods Low Calorie Suggests a food diary Maintenance Plan - Lifetime	Activity Required	Source - Health Line	Considered:
Weight Watchers diet	This is a gamified diet plan. The dieter is given a number of points depending on height / weight, that can be spent as desired. Healthy foods cost less than unhealthy options. Ease for dieter - Medium / Easy. Need to have kitchen skills.	Encouraged to make good choices Natural unprocessed foods. Calorie/Carb/Fat controlled Maintenance Plan - Lifetime	Personalized activity goal and FitBreak App.	Source - WebMD	Owned: Considered:
Zero Belly diet	The hypothesis of this diet is that some people eat things that turn on the "fat genes" and some don't. The dieter goes through a program to shut off the "fat genes". Ease for dieter - Hard / Medium	Natural unprocessed foods. High Fiber Limited Dairy, Soy, Gluten Maintenance Plan - Lifetime	Activity Required - Workout provided	Source - Zero Belly Diet	Owned: Considered:
Zone diet	The hypothesis of this diet is that eating 40% Carbs, 30% Protein and 30% fat at each day will allow a dieter to enter the most efficient metabolic state. Ease for dieter - Medium	Emphasis on ratio 1,200 -1,600 Calories per day Protein is eaten 5 times a day Maintenance Plan - Lifetime	30 Minutes / Day, 6 days per week.	Source - Health Line	Considered: [amazon_link asins='0060391502,0060989211,0060391502' template='TablePBookLink' store='onefitthing-20' marketplace='US' link_id='food-guide']Considered: