The business of weight loss is a serious one, especially among women.
Diet plans are one of the ways people manage their weight.
Here are six healthy dieting plans for women that will enable them to make an informed decision on which plan suits best.
1. Atkins Diet
One of the most popular fad diets, Atkins diet plan advocates a diet rich in protein and fat but low on carbohydrates. The Atkins diet plan theory believes that carbohydrates are the main culprits in weight gain. It causes increased insulin production that in turn causes hunger and weight gain. So the Atkins diet plan is: 70% protein for satiety, 20% good carbohydrates derived from whole grains, fruits and vegetables and 10% fats obtained from unsaturated fat sources.
2. Pritikin Principle
This diet plan believes in consuming food that is low on fat and high on carbohydrates. The carbohydrates can be derived from vegetables, whole grains and fruits. The rule is that fats should not form more than 10% of your total intake for a day. Consuming low-calorie but dense foods 6 to 7 times a day will leave you full for a longer time and hence bring about weight loss.
3. The Zone Diet
The Sear’s Zone Diet proposes eating a diet that is high in protein, low in carbohydrates and controlled fats. 40% carbohydrates, 30% proteins and 30% fats (40-30-30) is the formula in Zone diet. By following this diet the body will gain energy and lose weight.
4. South Beach Diet
Another dieting plan similar to that of Atkins, the south beach diet is based on the theory that the faster the carbohydrates are processed the fatter you become. So even the carbohydrates you consume should be of the complex carbohydrate variety. There are 3 phases in this diet – first is to eliminate cravings, second is consistency in weight loss and the third phase consists of following a strict diet regime for 1 year after the weight loss.
5. Ornish Diet
The main goal of this diet is to maintain a healthy heart. Hence it focuses on a high fiber and low fat vegetarian diet with no or very little dairy products. Complex carbohydrates and omega 3 fatty acids are the primary sources of carbohydrates and fats respectively. This is one diet plan that also has rules laid down for physical activity and mental relaxation too.
6. The Weight Watchers
This is a paid forum which helps people lose weight and maintain them too. It has the option of being a part of a group of likeminded individuals who meet and review their weight loss goals. They have 2 plans that you can choose from – flex plan and core plan. The flex plan limits the amount of calories you take through a point system. The core plan is an energy density based plan where large volume foods with low calorie content are included in the diet. This means bulky and fibrous fruits and vegetables.
These healthy dieting plans for women are most often used and have given great results when combined with the right amount of exercise.
