Sometimes the simple ones are the best. Calorie diets include one of the most popular plans out there, including the WeightWatchers plan. This is probably the oldest and most fool-proof method of weight loss.
Controlled dieting by use of Calorie diets work on the principle that in order to lose weight, we have to take in less energy than we use up during a day. Caloriediets make things easier on the slimmer, by categorizing foods for you, so that you don't have to research the energy content of everything you eat.
Most calorie diets don't prohibit certain foods, they just give them a value, sometimes using a point system, which lets you know how much you can eat during a day. These plans usually give you a set total of "points" that you're allowed in a day. The plans then tell you how many "points" each food has, and lets you decide what you want to eat. At the end of the day, whether you eat 3 donuts or 17 bowls of brown rice, you're okay so long as you stay inside your point allowance.
Obviously, controlled diet plans work best, both from a weight loss and a nutritional perspective, when you try to eat a balance of foods from across the food groups. Nutritionally, this ensures that your body is healthy and can function at top form. From a weight loss perspective, it's also important to chose to eat lots of foods with a low point value, rather than few foods with a high point value because if you're body feels it's not getting enough food, it will go into starvation mode, and your metabolism will slow down, causing less fat to be burned.
These plans are reliable at leading to a gradual, healthy weight loss. However, the drawback to these kind of plans is that because you are relying on outside help to chose what and how much to eat, if you choose to come off the programme, you may gain some of the weight back. If you're considering a weight loss plan, it's important to consult your doctor.
