U.S. News and World Report is famous (and in some cases infamous) for ranking products, institutions and services of all kinds, be it cars, colleges or diets. Yesterday, they released diet rankings in a number of categories, most notably the best commercial diets and the best diets for weight loss. They also created a list for both the best diabetic diets and the best heart-healthy diets, and a list of best overall diets.
U.S. News reports that they spent six month researching diets, and then had a panel of 22 health experts score the diet on seven different criteria. The diet was judged on its nutritional completeness, its safety, its ability to prevent or manage diabetes, its ability to prevent or manage heart disease, short-term weight loss, long-term weight loss and how easy it is to follow.
It’s little surprise to us that Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig topped both lists, as multiple studies have shown these two diets to be effective. Below are the top eight diets from the best commercial diets and the best diets for weight loss.
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The Dukan Diet is making a big splash in the English-speaking world, with many high-profile celebrities being linked to the French weight-loss plan. As the plan gains popularity, it’s often compared to the Atkins diet or described as the “French Atkins.” We decided to take a closer look at these two low-carb diet plans, to see how far the similarity goes.
For the purposes of this comparison I am using Dr. Atkin’s New Diet Revolution, the last book actually written by Dr. Robert Atkins before his death, and The Dukan Diet: 2 Steps to Lose the Weight, 2 Steps to Keep It Off Forever.
Price
Both of these books are available online and in stores for less than $20.00. Both diets also have companion websites that can help users track their progress and get support from others who are following the plan. Both sites are free to use, but also sell additional products, such as Dukan Oat Bran or Atkins snack bars.
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Private Practice star Kate Walsh recently shared her secrets to staying trim in the April issue of More magazine. The actress says she doesn’t diet anymore, but stays trim with plenty of physical activity.
“I do Pilates, and hike with my dog,” says Walsh. “As you get older, everything changes. Everything starts getting … looser. But I think it’s important to accept that.”
Walsh acknowledges that staying trim isn’t that easy for everyone. “I’m lucky. I’ve got pretty good genes. But I think it’s a weird thing to fight it. I like how I’ve got good genes” is the new way of saying ‘I think I’m the sh-t.’ ”
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Heather is the author of Not a DIY Life, where she shares her journey of healthy living, parenting, faith and everything in between. After all, life is not a Do-It-Yourself project.
I’m not really a professional dieter, but I have struggled with my weight most of my adult life. I’ve tried several different “diets,” including a low-fat diet, Atkins, and South Beach. Even though I am losing weight currently, I am not on a diet in the same sense. I am on a journey of healthy living, and that includes learning moderation in all things.
When I was in college, I lost 50 lbs on a low-fat diet with lots of activity and exercise. During that time, I gave up bacon. Oh, how I missed bacon. But it wasn’t “low fat” so I thought that I “couldn’t” eat it. I did not eat bacon for SIX years.
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The actress best known for her roles on Melrose Place and According to Jim, Courtney Thorne-Smith became a spokesperson for Atkins about two years ago. She’s even signed on for her third year, according to a press release published two days ago.
Thorne-Smith says she struggled with her weight for many years and tried many diet plans. In the end, the low-carb, high-protein Atkins diet plan worked for her. She’s been in the “maintenance” phase of the Atkins diet for the past ten years.
She argues that people shouldn’t confuse the nearly-no-carb “Induction” phase of the diet for the whole plan. “When I finally went back and read the Atkins book, I was able to figure out what I needed to eat in order to be my own food judge. I eat a plant-based diet, and no starch or sugar,” Courtney told ThatsFit. She does allow herself to cheat on special occasions: “Of course, like on my son’s first birthday, I had a piece of cake. It’s just a rare treat, so to balance it out, I won’t have as much fruit the next day.”
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