The Weight Watchers approach includes two important pieces to self-monitoring — having a way to maintain awareness about what is being done and including a method to assess weight-loss progress. Self monitoring eating behavior is a critical component of the PointsPlus system. Because the food plan requires tracking PointsPlus values to reach the daily PointsPlus Target, the Weight Watchers Tracker was developed and is included in the program materials provided as part of each weekly meeting. This Tracker includes a flexible, easy-to-use log where the specific food choices can be recorded and, if desired, a simple check-off method to identify the Weight Watchers Power Foods as they are used is also provided. No food is forbidden when you follow this plan, which doesn’t make you buy any prepackaged meals. You’ll eat real food, all of which Weight Watchers assigns a PointsPlus value.
Many studies have shown that Weight Watchers can help you lose weight and keep it off. Compared to people trying to lose weight on their own, people doing Weight Watchers lost more weight, according to a study from The American Journal of Medicine. The Consumer Reports survey also found that women who followed the program for 9 months lost between 10 and 28 pounds, while men lost between 12 and 35 pounds.
South Beach Diet:
low fat dairy, oils, <100 calories of “sweet treats”, sugar free beverages, and sugar free condiments. It does not allow fruits, starchy vegetables other than beans, grains, or alcohol.
Phase 2 is continued until weight loss goal is met, and advertises “steady weight loss”. It allows phase one foods plus up to 3 fruit servings per day, high fiber grains and starchy vegetables, and one alcoholic beverage per day. Not allowed in phase 2 are refined grains and white potatoes, certain fruits that are “higher in sugar”, yogurt, and other sugary foods.
Phase 3 is the maintenance phase, and allows “all foods in moderation”. Lists of foods to avoid are available on the official website.
The south beach diet is advertised as a “doctor designed plan”. Smoothies, meal and snack bars, 100 calorie “sweet delight” packs, and gluten free bar are available to purchase. Online support groups, chat with a dietitian, mobile apps, recipes, and other tools are advertised and available on the official website.
Those with Diabetes should use caution on the diet, as it has been shown to cause ketoacidosis.
A recent study showed that those assigned to a very-low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet achieved greater long-term reductions in body weight, triglyceride and diastolic blood pressure and greater increases in LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol levels than those assigned to a low fat diet.
Zone Diet:
Weight Watchers:
The South Beach diet is comprised of three phases. Phase 1 is 14 days, and is advertised as “rapid weight loss”. It allows protein, vegetables, nuts and seeds,
The zone diet restricts calories while encouraging you to change the balance of the foods you eat in order to lose weight. On the Zone diet, you will get 30 percent