Comparison of some of the popular diets. Dieting for a healthy life by losing weight does not mean that you have to give up all the things in life that you love. It simply means that by modifying and taking things in moderation will assist you far better than the path that you may be currently on.
| Atkins | Jenny Craig | L.A. Weight Loss | Weight Watchers | South Beach | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eating Out | No problem. Now that low-carb diets are all the rage, local sandwich shops and chain restaurants are more than happy to serve sandwiches minus the bun and meat without the potato. But even if such options are scarce, it's pretty easy to ditch the rice, corn, and starchy sides and just eat big portions of meat. | Not easy— you’re expected to subsist at first on Jenny Craig food. Dining out can occasionally fit into the schedule, but it’s not encouraged. | You bet. Comprehensive lists offer choices from popular fast-food chains and restaurants. | A breeze. Dieters use a comprehensive Dining Out guide that provides Points values for many ethnic cuisines, as well as items from fast-food chains like Chick-fil-A and Burger King. The Core Plan Restaurant Guide offers meal ideas, too. | Definitely. Seafood and lean cuts of meat like sirloin, top round, or beef tenderloin are fine. As with all carb-restricted diets, breads and starchy foods must be limited. |
| Caffeine | None initially. According to Atkins, too much caffeine may raise blood sugar and then cause it to crash. The net results are irritability, cravings, and increased appetite. Just can't live without that morning java? After two weeks of dieting sans caffeine, dieters are allowed to reintroduce caffeine into the diet. If there are no negative side effects, it's allowable to sip on a cup of coffee or diet cola "from time to time." | Not restricted. | In moderation, and with your doctor's OK. | OK. | OK. Agatston doesn’t think the appetite-stimulating properties of caffeine are pronounced enough that dieters can’t drink a cup or two of coffee a day, particularly if it’s a beverage they love. |
| Alcohol | Skip it. The problem with alcohol is that it gets in the way of weight loss. Take a drink, and the body will choose that as the first fuel it burns, Atkins says. That means fat burning is postponed. And because the whole point of dieting is to burn fat, this is not a good thing. However, after the initial two-week phase of the diet passes, dieters can drink wine or liquor in moderation. But if weight loss stops, just say no to happy hour. | No more than 1 to 2 drinks a week. Those who want to imbibe more must work with their counselor to adjust the rest of their diet. | Yes. The limit is one alcoholic drink three times per week. | Fine in moderation. Weight Watchers doesn’t encourage spending Points on alcohol, though, since a glass of wine or a margarita doesn’t provide many nutrients. | OK, with limits. Beer isn’t the best choice because the body’s insulin response to the sugar the beverage contains—maltose—leads to a beer belly. Choose red wine instead. |
| Vegetarian | In a word, impossible. Strict vegetarians won't find much here. Of course, lacto-ovo vegetarians, since they eat cheese and eggs, can probably survive the initial phase. | Jenny’s Cuisine offers a small selection. Once you go solo, it’s much simpler to eat veggie-style. | Plenty. Meat-free choices are included on all the plans. There are specific plans for vegetarians as well. | Some meatless recipes; tofu, falafel, and a host of veggie standbys all have assigned Points values. | Very tricky, at least in the early phases of the diet. |
| Expense | Pricey. Steaks, chops, bacon, and butter don't have as low a price tag as bags of carrots, apples, and oats. But what's really going to send the grocery bill sky-high is all those low-carb breads, cookies, and snacks that are flooding the market. It's expensive to be carb-conscious. | Outrageous. The company estimates dieters will spend $11 to $17 a day. Ouch! | One of the priciest diets around. The program runs $5 to $9 a week, but you pay everything up front. Supplements and snack bars cost extra. | Discounts are available, but registration and weekly meeting fees add up. Online membership gets costly, too. | Average. If you don’t like to cook, a new line of South Beach Diet foods made by Kraft is reasonably priced, with most products ranging from $2.50 to $3.50. |
| Professional Counselors | None. | Not really— registered dietitians and psychologists develop and direct the weight-loss program, but the counselors aren’t health professionals. | No. The headquarters has a staff of registered dietitians, but counselors are not health professionals. Counselors do receive five weeks of in-house training before taking on clients. | No. Meeting leaders are individuals who have successfully lost weight on the program and kept it off. | None. |
| Interaction With Other Diters | Maybe. Technically, Atkins isn't about group-support meetings or counseling sessions like Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig. But with the current popularity of this regimen, dieters are likely to find a supportive co-worker, friend, or neighbor singing the praises of the "revolution." | Most in-person interaction takes place with counselors. The Web site provides message boards and chat rooms. | None. | Plenty. For a weekly fee you can attend unlimited meetings Monday through Sunday. The online version offers chat rooms, a message board, and a new Science Center. | Online only. The Web site includes forums to share advice and support with other dieters. |
| Length Of Diet | Several phases. Phase one, the most restrictive, lasts two weeks. The rest of the diet lasts as long as it takes to lose weight. Eventually, Atkins converts to a lifelong plan that limits carbs. | As long as it takes— expected weight loss is 1 to 2 pounds per week. | As long as it takes. | As long as it takes. Once you maintain your goal weight for 6 weeks, you become a Lifetime Member and can attend meetings free of charge. | Several phases. A restrictive 2-week phase is followed by a more moderate low-carb approach to weight loss and then a maintenance plan. |
| Exercise | Yes. Atkins says his advice on exercise is the "least controversial" part of his book. He suggests walking as the best way for couch potatoes to get started with activity. And he talks about aerobic versus anaerobic activities. But it's pretty general advice in a surprisingly short chapter. | The program encourages dieters to get moving: Climb the stairs instead of taking the elevator, park at the farthest reaches of the parking lot, etc. | Yes. The Web site offers several articles on active lifestyles. | Yes. Exercise guidelines are based on recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American College of Sports Medicine. | Skimpy. Just 2 pages out of 310 talk about exercise. And the recommendations are too general to help you figure out an exercise program. |
| Teaches Behavior Skill | No. This is the diet plan, period. | Lots of beneficial advice and strategies. Training modules cover everything from stress management to body image to socializing without overeating. | Yes. The company says you’ll learn to eat healthfully simply by following its individualized plans. | Definitely. Team leaders routinely share healthful behavior strategies, and the Web site also offers articles to help you avoid common mental pitfalls that can sabotage weight loss. | No. It’s low-carb dieting. The twist is that it comes with lots of good advice on how to choose the most healthful proteins and fats, too. |