| Every year a "revolutionary" new diet captures the | | | | The Grapefruit or Mayo diet |
| headlines, claiming to be able to help us lose weight | | | | This diet consists of unlimited amounts of meat, fish |
| and feel healthier. There is no magic way to lose | | | | and eggs as long as half a grapefruit or some |
| weight and the healthiest, safest and ultimately | | | | grapefruit is eaten with every meal. The diet claims |
| easiest way to lose weight and stay slim is to eat a | | | | that the grapefruit "burns fat" - which is untrue. The |
| balanced diet including fibre, while cutting down on | | | | diet is potentially unbalanced and is high in saturated |
| sugary and fatty foods. | | | | fats and cholesterol. |
| Many people, however, turn to one of these diets. | | | | The Meatabolic Diet |
| While some are based on sound nutritional principals, | | | | This diet is based on low-fat, low sugar and high-fibre |
| others are deficient in certain nutrients and are not | | | | foods yielding 1000-1500 calories per day. The diet |
| balanced. Let's have a look at some of them. | | | | also contains a daily programme of vitamin and |
| The Atkins Diet | | | | mineral supplements which it claims maximises the |
| A low carbohydrate and high protein diet that is high | | | | metabolic rate. |
| in fat, saturated fat and cholesterol. You can expect | | | | Very Low Calorie Diets |
| to lose up to 8lbs (3.6kg) in the first week, but this is | | | | These diets are usually based on fluid preparations |
| mainly water. Once you start eating normally again | | | | which are the dieter's sole source of calories and |
| the weight will come back and usually with more on | | | | nutrients, although some have added solid foods such |
| top! This diet could be dangerous for anyone | | | | as muesli bars. These diets can cause the body's |
| suffering from kidney disease. | | | | metabolism to drop below normal. This means that |
| The BBC Diet | | | | when the dieter resumes normal eating, the weight |
| A sensible diet that advocates less fat and sugar and | | | | not only returns but is also more difficult than ever |
| more fibre and exercise. The guidelines include how | | | | to lose. These diets do not encourage healthy eating |
| to make the healthiest choices on the | | | | habits which lead to a more gradual but permanent |
| three-meals-a-day plan. | | | | weight loss. Very low calorie diets should only be |
| The Beverly Hills Diet | | | | used by the seriously overweight, and they should |
| A low calorie diet which relies heavily on exotic fruit | | | | not be used by anyone for more than three weeks. |
| such as pineapple, papaya, and mangoes, eaten in a | | | | The Hay Diet |
| certain order on specific days. Deficient in many | | | | This diet was devised by an American doctor, William |
| nutrients including protein. | | | | Howard Hay, to fight digestive problems such as |
| The Hip and Thigh Diet | | | | ulcers. Many people have claimed dramatic |
| This low fat diet provides between 1000-1500 | | | | improvements in their heath after adopting the Hays |
| calories per day. Forbidden foods and menu options | | | | diet, but medical proof of its effectiveness is limited. |
| are listed. Dieters are advised to include foods from | | | | The diet recommends that carbohydrates should not |
| certain groups, and take a multivitamin supplement | | | | be eaten with high protein foods or acid fruits ( such |
| whilst on the diet. | | | | as apples, pears and oranges) at the same meal. The |
| The F-Plan Diet | | | | major part of the diet comprises vegetables, salads |
| The first book to come out extolling the virtues of | | | | and fruits. Only small quantities of fats, proteins and |
| high fibre foods when dieting. Based on 1000-1500 | | | | starches are eaten. All starches must be obtained |
| calories per day, the F-plan diet is low-fat and | | | | from wholegrain products. Apart from digestive |
| nutritionally well balanced. But anyone not used to a | | | | disorders, the diet also claims to help people suffering |
| high-fibre diet may experience excess flatulence. | | | | from arthritis and food allergies. |