What diet really works for most people?

Whichever one helps them lose weight, says Nancy Metcalf, senior program editor at consumer website Consumer Reports Health.

“The best diet is the one you can stay on,” she says.

But Consumer Reports, using results from published clinical trials, has concluded that the Jenny Craig diet program easily surpasses all others in success rates.

The Jenny Craig diet combines counseling with a portion-controlled regimen of premade foods supplemented by home-cooked side dishes. In a 332-person, two-year study of the program published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, 92 percent of participants stuck with the diet for two years and shaved off an average 8 percent of their weight.

But Metcalf is quick to point out that Jenny Craig might not be ideal for everyone.

Q: What’s your take on successful diets?

A: There is no perfect diet for everybody. Our ratings (in the June issue of Consumer Reports) are based on the average results people get, according to published studies. There are a million diets out there. We don’t let a diet get into our ratings unless someone has done a clinical trial and statisticians report the results are meaningful.

Q: In your June issue, you rate Weight Watchers third. It used to be first?

A: Right. Frankly, I wish more diet programs conducted clinical trials.

The current guides show Jenny Craig with an overall score of 85 points, based on adherence to nutritional guidelines and the result of published randomized clinical studies. But not everyone likes the idea of eating prepackaged meals.

Then we have Slim-Fast with an overall score of 83; Weight Watchers, 57; the Zone diet, 54; Ornish, 48; Atkins, 48.

Q: This is your third diet evaluation. Any changes?

A: There is a much stronger emphasis today on reducing sodium.

Also, we are learning new things about calories. Some forms are more filling than others — like protein followed by high-fiber grains, fruits and vegetables. The big-name diets are putting this principle to work to help dieters shed pounds with fewer hunger pangs.

Q: Isn’t that the principle behind Volumetrics?

A: Yes, that was our winning diet in our last survey. The program has been purchased by Jenny Craig. Volumetrics stresses what fills you up with the fewest calories.

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Other news: The 2010 edition of the U.S. Dietary Guidelines of Americans, used by Consumer Reports for the nutrition basis in this study, still says it is bad to eat 10 percent or more calories from saturated fat from meat and dairy products. That is why the Atkins diet ends up with only a “fair” nutrition score.

There also is evidence that refined carbohydrates promote weight gain and type 2 diabetes through their effects on blood sugar and insulin.

Consumer Reports says there is evidence that restricting carbohydrates can bring blood insulin levels down and help burn body fat, which in turn helps you eat fewer calories.

The magazine also noted a dieter might be better off replacing saturated fat with unsaturated fat instead of carbs that turn to blood sugar quickly, such as white bread and potatoes.

Finally, Consumer Reports reminds dieters “not to discount the impact of a good emotional support system,” such as the Jenny Craig counselors. A menu planner, physical activity trackers and personal journals also are available at JennyCraig.com.

“Four years ago, when we last rated diets, the winner was the Volumetrics plan which is based on eating high-bulk, low-calorie food,” Metcalf says.

She says that is still the winning formula, as it is now part of the Jenny Craig brand. As for taste, she rated the Jenny Craig prepared food as “decent and better than its rival, Nutrisystem.”

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(Jane Glenn Haas writes for The Orange County (Calif.) Register. Email her at jghaas@cox.net)

After all, as Booster Shots blogger Eryn Brown pointed out yesterday: Jenny Craig is fairly expensive. And each diet has its fans.

Consumer Reports offers an overview of its seven-diet comparison (you must have a subscription to see the rankings), but it has this to say about Jenny Craig specifically:

“What gave it the edge over the other big names we assessed — stalwarts such as Atkins, Ornish, and Weight Watchers — was a 332-person, two-year study of the program published in the Oct. 27, 2010, Journal of the American Medical Association. Ninety-two percent of participants stuck with the Jenny Craig program for two years — a remarkable level of adherence — and at the end of that time weighed an average of about 8 percent less than when they started. “

WebMD helpfully offers a rundown of the basic facts on many popular diets, including the Atkins Diet, the Lemonade Diet, Dr. Phil’s Ultimate Weight Solution, Body for Life, the Perricone Diet and, naturally, the Dukan Diet.

But let’s start with the two runners-up mentioned in the Consumer Reports evaluation.

–SlimFast: This diet is about portion control and branded snacks, such as the iconic SlimFast shakes and meal-in-one bars. You eat six times a day — three snacks, two SlimFast shakes or bars and one 500-calorie meal, according to the website.

WebMD notes that the weight loss rate goals are safe, about 1-2 pounds per week for 10% of body weight loss in six months.

–Weight Watchers: Dieters have an allotted number of points to “spend” on foods, based on a personalized calorie allotment.

WebMD likes the new Points Plus system that rewards allocating those points to foods deemed healthy by the 2010 Dietary Guidelines:

“Dieters are encouraged to maximize their Points Plus allowance by choosing more ‘Power Foods,’ such as whole grains, lean meats, low-fat dairy, and unlimited quantities of fresh fruit and nonstarchy vegetables. ‘Power Foods’ are the healthiest, most filling foods.”

And though Weight Watchers came in third in the Consumer Reports ranking, Brown, for one, won’t give up her treasured time logging point totals, not to mention the freedom to cook her own meals.

That’s what works for her. And that’s what matters — what works.

Of course, there’s something to be said for a plan that 92% of people can stick to for two years.

healthkey@tribune.com

The book is written by Liz Vaccariello and Cynthia Sass, the editors of health magazine Prevention.

Here are some tips that can help you get rid of belly fat:

1. Eat four 400-calorie meals per day.

2. Never go more than four hours without eating.

3. Incorporate mono-unsaturated fats or “MUFAS” into meals.

4. When the body is under stress, it produces a hormone called “cortisol,” which turns into belly fat. Learning to control the stress in life can go a long way towards reducing the belly fat.

5. Keep a strong social support group. Get your friends to join you, or find an online support group.

6. Keep a record of what you’ve eaten and how much.

The show, called Fast Forward Friday: The One Pill Quick Fix, covered several diet solutions. The main reason our metabolism slows is because we begin to lose muscle after the age of 20, according to Oz. When you turn 40 it can be extremely difficult to lose weight. But there is hope.

Diet Fix #1:

The first quick fix was Konjac Root Fiber. Weight loss expert Lisa Lynn, who appeared on the show, said there are studies to back this product up. Konjac can make you feel “full”.

According to Doctor Andrew Weil, the main component of konjac is glucomannan. This is a water-soluable fiber consisting of two sugars, mannose and glucose. He points to a 1984 study in the International Journal of Obesity that suggested that this fiber might help with weight loss.

There is a supplement available in health food stores, and there is also a noodle available in Asian food stores.

Diet Fix #2:

Raspberry Ketones were the second fat-loss suggestion. This is an aroma compound that is added to perfume, cosmetics and food as an additive. Lisa said you can eat raspberries with your meal, but you will need to eat a lot of raspberries to get the same amount of ketones as are in the supplements.

Diet Fix #3:

L-Carnitine was the third suggestion. Besides losing weight, the University of Maryland released a statement describing other uses for L-carnitine. According to the University, it can be used for several heart conditions, including angina, heart attack and hear failure.

Lisa Lynn said the supplement can give you energy. Carnitine pulls fat into the cells to be utilized. Read the labels before taking any supplement. Oz said to take vitamin C with this one.

Diet Fix #4:

Dr. Oz said we can exercise “less”. “As crazy as it sounds”, Oz said, less exercise may be better. Eating less is more important, but you don’t need to eat more because of the exercise.

Diet Fix #5:

The final solution was White Kidney Bean Extract. A 2007 study from UCLA found that white kidney beans may stop carbs from breaking down into sugars.

Lisa Lynn said this does not give a green-light to eat whatever we want, but the extract is very potent. The white kidney bean paralyzes the enzymes that break-up the starches into smaller sugars.

Both Lisa Lynn and Oz said dieters should exercise and eat less.

By Marsha Quinn

“She’s marrying that prince, so she’s got that fairy tale life and ending that a lot of people have been hoping for,” said North Olmsted resident Abby Seelie. “She does seem like that perfect model person, like the perfect role model for people to be looking up to.”

The secret to her new, trimmer bod is reportedly, the Dukan Diet, with results many envy.

“She’s beautiful, just so beautiful,” said Cleveland resident Jessica Keating. “I think it’s pretty cool. I mean, they look happy.”

The Dukan Diet book originated in France, and according to media reports, more than 1.5 million French women rely on the plan to maintain their figures. Celebrities like Penelope Cruz, Jennifer Lopez and Giselle Bundchen have been linked to Dukan.

The book was released in the United States this April. Now with the buzz of Duchess Catherine’s new frame, many expect the low-fat, high-protein regimen to become the next Diet fad.

“It’s a gimmick,” said University Hospitals Dietitian Lisa Cimperman. “It’s not necessarily new. It’s just kind of the same thing, just repackaged in a different way.”

According to the book’s website, the Dukan Diet is split into four phases. Each phase varies in length, depending on your weight-loss goal.

First, there’s the attack phase. For one to 10 days, you eat nothing but lean protein, a bit of oat brain and lots of water.

Second, the cruise phase. Here, you will stick with lean protein, add more oat bran and mix in non-starchy vegetables every other day.

Then, third, the consolidation phase. You get to add two slices of bread, an apple and a slice of cheese into your day. You also get two “celebratory meals,” where you can mostly eat what you want.

And fourth, the stabilization phase. In this final phase, it’s all about maintaining your weight. You can eat a number of foods, even fried chicken or mac ‘n cheese.

Although plans like Dukan can offer quick results, dietitians argue they can come with a number of risks.

“It could potentially lead to diabetes later in life or even hyperlipidemia,” said Elizabeth Pash, manager of nutrition therapy at the Cleveland Clinic. “Some of those diets do not meet the recommendations of the American Heart Association. They’re higher in fat. They’re higher in protein. They promote weight loss. But that’s also something that were striving to avoid in terms of heart disease.”

For a low-carb, high protein diet, Cimperman says there are healthier alternatives, like the South Beach Diet, which focuses on eating good carbs and good fats.

“I do think cutting back on starchy foods, things like bread or pasta or rice, can really be beneficial for weight loss,” she said.

The Dukan Diet is a weight-loss plan with a bit of controversy. It may be fit for a future queen–or at least a princess in the making.

If you want to lose weight, be sure to talk to your doctor about the best plan to reach your goal.

ABC News reports, quoting British tabloids, that—although it could not be proved—the bride Kate Middleton appeared to have dropped from a size six to a size two in less than six months since the Royal engagement was announced. Two sizes for a woman who already looked wonderful on and off camera? Why? And is this weight loss healthy?

According to one New York expert, it might be just fine. “If it took her 5 months to lose 20 pounds, she lost a pound every 7.5 days. Safe weight loss recommendations for most folks is no more than one pound per week, so even if she lost 20 pounds, she was within the guidelines for a healthy rate of weight loss,” says Carla Wolper, obesity researcher and assistant professor at Columbia University Medical Center.

But wait a minute. The rate is not all that matters. Was it healthy for Kate Middleton to lose so much weight in the first place? “She is lean to begin with,” says Leslie Bonci, director of sports nutrition at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, “so some of the loss has been lean mass.” Not just body fat. Kate had no fat to spare!

It’s possible the stress of her wedding planning phase simply stopped her from eating. That happens to some brides, who aren’t expecting real and virtual guests to number in the billions. Others gain so much stress-weight, the dress doesn’t fit.

But reports say Kate Middleton was on the Dukan Diet, similar to the Atkins Diet, where carbohydrates are severely curtailed and protein is the main food. Why would she choose to lose weight she didn’t need to lose? It could be that brideorexia feeling, which comes over women striving to be perfect.

If that’s true, Kate Middleton had better put a stop to it right now before it destroys her future life. Everyone remembers Princess Diana and her struggles with bulimia. No one wants to see the new Duchess—the familiar Kate Middleton—head down that road.

One of the first facts that you need to know about cayenne pepper is the fact that is has been proven to be an herb that is essential to the body. Many people are unfamiliar with cayenne pepper simply because it does have a very hot or spicy taste that many people are not used to eating. However, the cayenne pepper diet uses this type of pepper simply because it is loaded with vitamin A and Vitamin C. Vitamin C as you know is needed in order to fight the common cold or flu.

What you are going to need to do with this diet is simply eat a little bit of cayenne pepper with all of your food. If you can manage to beat the spiciness of the pepper then you will be able to see significant weight loss results. The hotness of the cayenne pepper will actually speed up the digestive system and allow you to lose weight faster. This means that you will not have to be concerned with counting all of your daily calories or fat grams. You can eat smaller portions of what you want, 5-8 times a day with cayenne pepper as the main spice.

After 11 days of eating the cayenne pepper diet you will see at least a 5-10 pound weight drop. This is of course real fat that is lost that you can keep off if you continue the cayenne pepper diet and exercise on a daily basis. Exercising will help to speed up the metabolism and keep things moving along properly. Cardio and strength training both needed to be incorporated into this diet 3-4 times per week. After 2 or 3 months you should see even more weight loss. You can stop the cayenne pepper diet once you have lost the initial 10 pounds, or you can use it in your daily diet.

Cayenne pepper has been shown great results when it comes to keeping the human body healthy. The vitamins that are found in cayenne pepper help to melt fat away and protect your body from illnesses. The immune system needs to be running smoothly if you want to work out and feel great each day. The cayenne pepper diet will be able to give you some very good results, if you ensure that you use it on just about everything that you eat. If you need help washing it down do not forget the water so that you can flush down the fat even faster!

The lemonade diet is based upon a sort of elixir. The elixir is consumed throughout the course of the procedure instead of the intake of any solid foods. Let’s be specific here, you do not eat while you are on the lemonade diet. The lemonade diet is strictly the intake of liquids for the course you choose. Some people run the lemonade diet on a four to five day course, while others will remain on the lemonade diet for up to a full two weeks.

So, if you don’t eat while you are on the lemonade diet, what do you drink? The lemonade diet calls for a special lemonade concoction. The recipe can vary slightly, depending upon who is providing the information. Mostly, however, it is made up of spring water, organic maple syrup, lemon juice, and cayenne pepper. There is only one other food consumed, which is a laxative tea. The laxative tea may prove necessary because of constipation caused by the lack of fiber in the lemonade diet. Water may be consumed as necessary, to avoid hydration. Also, a saline body wash is recommended because of the dry skin that may result as part of the procedure.

As mentioned earlier, the course of the lemonade diet is up to the participant. Some folks give it a try for just a few days, while others stick with it for up to two weeks. I think staying on the lemonade diet any longer than two weeks might prove severely detrimental to one’s health.

While on the lemonade diet, it is suggested that you ingest the elixir six times a day. The recommended amount to drink is ten ounces at a time. The proportion of ingredients in the lemonade diet drink should be ten ounces of water, two tablespoons of syrup, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, and one tenth of a teaspoon of cayenne pepper. The amount of cayenne does not seem essential, as it is suggested that you can add it, to taste. The other amounts should be adhered to as directed. You need to remember that you can ingest as much spring water as is necessary to remain hydrated. You can drink the water in addition to the recipe.

There is a long standing belief that all these toxins and the chemicals will usually build-up slowly in the body of the person and this can effectively lead to a decrease in the quality of life. So in order to prevent future health problems and issues, it is suggested that a person take a good look at these toxins and ensure that these toxins do not remain for too long in the body. One sure-fire way of doing that is thru detoxification process like adopting the water cayenne pepper diet.

The water cayenne pepper diet makes use of lemon, cayenne pepper, water and maple syrup. The drink is made hot or cold and used a meal replacement. For the person who is under this diet, it is recommended that he should drink anywhere between 6 and 9 glasses of this drink. The normal water intake should be increased as well and it is suggested as well that the dieter should take an occasional laxative tea, like a peppermint tea. So how does the cayenne and water drink work like a detoxifying drink? The ability of the water cayenne pepper diet to cleanse the body lies in the ingredients used. The lemon juice is there for its acidity. The juice is conducive to the flushing of the waste from the body and it is there as well so that the drink will be directly absorbed by the blood stream and less pressure is applied on the digestive system. The water is known for its many health benefits as it cleanses the body. Water keeps the person hydrated. The maple syrup on the other hand contains many nutrients, vitamins and minerals that can help the body of the person. The cayenne pepper on the other hand has a special role in the mix. This helps speed up the metabolism and in turn promotes the cleansing process.

These ingredients are the ones that help make the water cayenne pepper diet a perfect help in removing the excess toxins in the body. Others call the detoxification thru this diet and drink effective, other people on the other hand see only the side effects that this will bring to the dieter. So will this diet help in losing weight and in detoxification? If the objective is for the short term, then this may help. But for long term, it is suggested that a combination of diet and exercise should work best.

This diet according to some reports cost the singer to lose 20 pounds just in time for the filming of the ‘Dreamgirls’ movie. There’s no denying the fact the singer has slimmed but a subsequent question needs to be asked; is it because of the cayenne pepper? Beyonce is not the only one who has tried this diet and gained a slimmer body. Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls has used the water cayenne pepper diet as well. This diet was announced by the singer in an interview with Complex magazine and when she did a show at the now-cancelled Katie and Peter Show. The singer mentioned that this drink, the combination of cayenne pepper and water was used in order to detoxify her body just before a photo shoot.

These two well-known singers have managed to achieve the kind of body that they want; and if they are to be believed that were done thanks to the water cayenne pepper diet. Now there is a question that begs to be answered. Is it really the work of the water cayenne pepper diet that has made these singers look good? Or other factors are also in play and are just hidden and not well-publicized. These kind of questions need to be addressed the soonest possible time so that the public may know the real story behind the story. Impressionable young boys and girls will think that the water cayenne pepper diet is their way out of their misery and a way towards greater fulfillment. If that issue is not resolved sooner or later, perhaps the adoption of this diet may result as well to grave consequences if abused.

There is no denying the fact that cayenne pepper has some health benefit and these are recorded and validated by results. For example, cayenne pepper is good in helping in the digestion, in the strengthening of the heart and for its mild relieving qualities. Some people also note the benefits of cayenne pepper when used as dressing for wounds. But cayenne pepper as part of the water cayenne pepper diet? Parents and the impressionable youths should take these things with suspicion. It pays to ask questions rather than risks their lives just to have the body that they want.