EXPLANATION: developed by Robert C. Atkins, M.D., high protein diet, reduces carbohydrates, increases protein.
PROS: forces your body to burn stored fat, results inches lost, can eat fat-laden foods, eat generous amount of beef, has sensible advice.
CONS: eating foods high in saturated fats can increase your blood cholesterol level & can increase your risk of heart disease. Unknown whether this diet works or is safe in the long run.

EXPLANATION: created by Dr. Arthur Agatson, high protein, low carbrohydrates A 3-phase diet plan, rapid weight loss.
PROS: promotes rapid weight loss at the onset, with continuous loss after 14 days, improves eating habits, stabilizes blood sugar levels, improves cholesterol levels, has sensible advice.
CONS: the initial weight loss is contributed to water weight loss and reduction of carbohydrate intake, lack of options for people who are lactose intolerant, must stick to Phase 3 to maintain healthy weight.

EXPLANATION: drinking a liquid meal replacement shake twice a day, eat dinner, and three snacks, moderate exercise.
PROS: can obtain long-term weight loss by using products.
CONS: can tire of repeatedly eating same food.

EXPLANATION: developed by Dr. Peter D'Adamo, claims that each blood type has its own way of interacting with certain foods, and each blood type has varying levels of acidity in the stomach.
PROS: you get a detailed list of foods for your blood type.
CONS: no sound evidence that this concept works.

EXPLANATION: developed by Bill Phillips, a 12-week plan emphasizing fitness and nutrition, high-protein, emphasizes portions, not calories. Eat equal portions of protein and carbohydrates, adding vegetables.
PROS: don't need to count calories, allowed to cheat once a week on favorite foods.
CONS: does not have enough variety to make it nutritionally sound, must continuously exercise and maintain motivation to work out.

EXPLANATION: created by Dean Ornish, MD, combines vegetarian diet with low-fat, recommends high fiber foods, daily exercise.
PROS: can reduce cholesterol levels, healthy eating, exercise
CONS: need to calculate a 10 percent fat diet long term.

EXPLANATION: developed by Dr. Howard M. Shapiro, gives food equations to substitute fattening foods, gives correct serving sizes.
PROS: A good concept for those who can't think of substitute foods.
CONS: no sound evidence that this solution works long term.

EXPLANATION: created by H. Leighton Steward and associates, recommends cutting refined sugars, claims sugar is toxic, claims excess sugar turns into body fat.
PROS: reduction in body fat.
CONS: long term high-fat intake may be harmful to kidneys and liver, can cause heart disease.

EXPLANATION:
PROS: low calorie, so weight loss it easily obtained in the onset.
CONS: less than 1,000 calories, can be insufficient to meet the RDA requirements.

EXPLANATION: created by Donald Hensrud, claims that volume and weight of food makes one feel full, recommends energy-dense foods
PROS: full on fewer calories, eat foods low in energy density, concentrates on fruits and vegetables and healthier choices, daily physical activity is emphasized.
CONS: foods high in energy density are needed for increased physical activity.

EXPLANATION: created by Drs. Richard and Rachael Heller, claims that an excess of insulin, known as the hunger hormone, causes recurrent cravings in the person who craves carbohydrates, claims that these cravings are caused by hormonal imbalances, recommended low carbohydrate diet during the day, with more carbohydrates at night.
PROS: the low carbohydrates during the daytime reduce fat, allows three square meals a day, can satisfy cravings at your reward meal.
CONS: high fat foods are sometimes craved with a low carbohydrate diet, high fat foods can lead to kidney and liver damage, heart disease, high cholesterol levels. No sound evidence that this diet works long term.

EXPLANATION: created by Michael R. and Mary Dan Eades, M.Ds., claims that carbohydrates in the diet should be limited for the body to burn fat, high protein diet.
PROS: reduction in carbohydrates caused weight loss.
CONS: eating high protein can include high fat food and lead to kidney and liver damage, heart disease, high cholesterol levels. No sound evidence that this diet works long term.

EXPLANATION: created by Bob Arnot, M.D., who considers foods drugs, as they control not only your weight, but your moods.
PROS: Eat foods with soluble fiber.
CONS: No scientific evidence that this diet works.

EXPLANATION: created by Barbara J. Rolls and associates, eat low calorie foods with high volume, so get full faster.
PROS: getting full faster on fewer calories leads to weight loss.
CONS: you need to balance eating with weight loss.

EXPLANATION: various plans with support and networking with other dieters, uses a point system that allows flexibility in eating. Offers prepackaged food for purchase.
PROS: easier to stick to than a lot of diets.
CONS: must continuously count points.

EXPLANATION: based on a fat-burning soup with negative calories, the more soup you eat the more weight you should lose.
PROS: successful for temporarily losing a few pounds.
CONS: does not contain nutritionally sound plan.

EXPLANATION: cleanses your digestive system by disrupting your regular food intake. Special juice contains natural fruit enzymes and minerals, juice acts as a laxative to cleanse your system.
PROS: blood sugar levels are balances by consuming juice at regular intervals throughout the day.
CONS: not good for long term, as muscle mass can be lost.

EXPLANATION: develped by Dr. Herman Tarnower, has 43 percent protein, 22.5 percent fat and 34.5 percent carbohydrates., has a weight-reducing plan for 2 weeks at a time, and then a keep-trim program which allows more calories.
PROS: fast weight loss, simple to follow.
CONS: too low in calories, has very restricted food choices, high protein intake can lead to heart disease, kidney and liver problems.

EXPLANATION: has preplanned menus, includes Nutrisystem products.
PROS: over 100 different entrees and snacks, eat three meals plus snacks, slow weight loss.
CONS: hard to stick to long term.

EXPLANATION: favors vegetables, fruits, olive oil and fish, a change in lifestyle, use fewer processed foods, has more fiber, vitamins, antioxidants, healthy fats.
PROS: uses more fruits, vegetables, whole breads and grains, legumes, nuts and seeds, olive oil, and fish. Increases amount of physical activity into daily lifestyle, reduces risk of heart disease and cancer.
CONS: limits red meats, is a change in lifestyle that some find hard to follow.

EXPLANATION: created by Dr. Phil McGraw, is a balanced approach to weight loss, consists of high fiber foods, complex carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats, has personalized plans with portions for your needs.
PROS: lose weight without hunger, good nutrition, sustains energy.
CONS: pre-planned menus.

EXPLANATION: you eat grapefruit at every meal.
PROS: Weight loss is fat-free and low in calories, so weight loss can be fast.
CONS: lacks many sufficient vitamins, and minerals, can be monotonous and unhealthy, contains far too few calories.

EXPLANATION: a well-balanced plan, offers foods and supplements .
PROS: nutritionally balanced, convenient meals, offers counseling.
CONS: can be costly to buy a month's worth of foods and supplements.

EXPLANATION: created by Richard Simmons, well-rounded meal plan, motivation, includes exercise, uses the food pyramid, uses exchanges that you track on his "food mover," offers a variety of choices plus seven servings a day of fruits and vegetables, recommends 1200 plus calories per day. 60% carbohydrates, 20 percent protein, 20 percent fat.
PROS: variety of food choices, balanced meals, easy to follow, reasonable weight loss.
CONS: hyper-commercial weight loss operation, high in carbohydrates.

EXPLANATION: the diet made popular by Jared Fogle, that 210 pounds eating lowfat subs.
PROS: no cooking, fast weight loss for the obese.
CONS: eat sandwiches two meals a day, not a balanced diet.

EXPLANATION: developed by Michel Montignac, a nutritional regime that helps one become healthy while losing weight.
PROS: can lose weight and keep it off.
CONS: a slow process of losing weight.

EXPLANATION: developed by the American Heart Association, to help reduce heart attack, high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, and excess body weight.
PROS: includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, grain products.
CONS: needs to count calories.

EXPLANATION: developed by Walter Willett, MD, stresses that food that is good for you doesn't have to be tasteless.
PROS: you don't have to deprive yourself of good tasting food.
CONS: concepts are similar to other diets, so one can be left still confused.

EXPLANATION: developed by Dr. Dean Ornish, very low fat, high carbohydrate weight loss plan.
PROS: lowers cholesterol, blood pressure and risk of heart disease.
CONS: vegetarian diet, meat and fish not recommended.

EXPLANATION: developed by Neal Barnard, M.D., a new three week program for activating thin genes and suppressing fat genes.
PROS: sculpts away excess pounds.
CONS: the initial weight loss can is contributed to water weight loss.

Fat Burning

Baked Potato
(with peelings)

Bell Peppers
Tomatoes

Cabbage

Green Tea

High in Protein

Beef
Nonfat Yogurt
Pork

Cottage Cheese
Ricotta Cheese
Salmon

Crab
Shrimp
Snapper

Lobster
Tuna
Turkey

High in Potassium

Apricot
Artichokes
Avocado
Bananas
Beef
Blackberries
Broccoli
Buttermilk
Carrots
Cauliflower
Cherries
Chicken
Clams
Cucumber

Eggplant
French Beans
Grapes
Great Northern
Beans
Green Peas
Green Snap
Beans
Iceberg Lettuce
Kidney Beans
Kiwi
Lentils
Lima Beans
Lobster

Milk
Navy Beans
Orange
Peanut Butter
Pear
Peas
Pinto Beans
Plantain
Potato
Raisins
Raspberries
Salmon
Shrimp
Snapper

Spinach
Strawberries
Sweet Potato
Tomato
Tuna
Turkey
Wheat Germ
Yam
Yellow Snap Beans
Yogurt

High in Magnesium

Avocado
Bananas
Blackberries
Broccoli
Buttermilk
Cashews
Chicken

Clams
Crab
French Beans
Kiwi
Lobster
Milk Peanut
Butter

Peas
Plantain
Potato
Raisins
Raspberries
Salmon
Shrimp

Snapper
Spinach
Sweet Potatoes
Tomato
Tuna
Turkey
Yogurt