Fab Diets

If you consider the term "diet" to imply an eating plan for losing weight, you might be surprised to learn that "diet" simply refers to the food you ingest every day. That said, many are on the lookout for the best way to lose weight. Those on such a hunt should be as aware of their individual circumstances and eating preferences for best results when choosing a diet plan.

Diet Plan for the Snack-a-holic

• Based on a 1,400 calorie per day intake, Good Housekeeping's Snack-All-Day diet plan will suit the needs of those who are on the go or just seem to feel hungry all day. The basic structure of this plan is to eat six snacks throughout the day, following this up with a light dinner. The snacks may seem numerous, but they total 180 calories each, and dinner should be no more than 300 calories. Snack and dinner suggestions as well as more tips are offered on their website, including a list of vegetables that you can add to your daily intake (grilled, steamed or raw), eating as much as you'd like.

Diet Plan for Those Who Hate to Cook

• The prepackaged food programs offered by Nutrisystem and Jenny Craig have become very popular with today's busy dieters. Both programs will deliver a month's worth of meals that you can simple heat in the microwave or enjoy straight from the package. Celebrities such as Marie Osmond, Valerie Bertinelli, Queen Latifah and Carrie Fisher have made successful use of these no-cook diet plans. For those who also need a good support system in place, Jenny Craig provides a coach to help you through your diet program from start to finish.

Buddy/Support System Diet Plan

• If support is the number one thing you need to make it through your diet, Weight Watchers has been in the business of making sure that no dieter goes it alone for more than 40 years. The program is called "Points Plus," which means that all the food you consume is rated by points and you are allowed a certain number of points per day. The support comes through the weekly meetings, at which you'll be weighed and have a private consultation with your leader. You'll also have a chance to gather with other Weight Watchers clients and exchange stories, encouragement and ideas, while also participating in an inspiring discussion facilitated by your leader.

The Rule Follower's Diet Plan

• Diet plans with strict rules don't allow any straying from the proscribed food choices, so you must be prepared to completely alter your eating style for a diet such as this to work for you. The Stillman Diet centers its food choices around protein, while eliminating fat items. The diet does not allow any consumption of carbohydrates, fruits, veggies, alcohol and sugary foods, among other items. What you can eat is protein, and lots of it: lean meats, lean fish, eggs and some types of cheese. Although the diet with strict rules may not be easy to follow, the requirements are simple.