The Diet Detective: Diet programs

By Charles Stuart Platkin

Some people who try to go it alone wind up abandoning their diets. Here are a few plans that may be able to help. Weight Watchers800-651-6000www.weightwatchers.comMembers: 1.5 million members in 30 countries.Locations: 48,000 meetings weekly.Dieting Style: Group support, weekly meetings, behavior-based.Best Fit: Enjoy group support and focused education.Dieting Method: Science-based weight-loss program that includes two food plans, an exercise plan, cognitive behavior skills and group support. Theyre known for their points system, based on calories, fat and fiber content.Exercise: Yes. Members can swap activity points for food.Staff: Meetings are led by trained leaders, all lifetime members of Weight Watchers.Cost: Registration fee of $15-$20 and a weekly meeting fee of $9.99-13.99.Supplements: Available, but not required.Weigh-ins: Yes.Program Development: Based on scientific research, the program is developed by registered dietitians and reviewed by notable Scientific Advisory Board.Commitment or Contract: None. Fees are paid meeting-by-meeting.Comments: Extremely effective. NutriSystem800-321-THINwww.nutrisystem.comMembers: 2.7 million members.Locations: Online or telephone.Dieting Style: Portion-controlled, prepared meals.Best Fit: Busy people who need convenience and dont mind prepared foods.Dieting Method: 120 different, nutritionally balanced prepared meals (not frozen) delivered to your home. Web site keeps track of members weight loss and goals.Exercise: Yes. A free online program called Body Nourish; additional free support is available via online or by phone.Staff: 100 weight-loss counselors with degrees or course work in nutrition, psychology, social work, education and exercise. All counselors receive intensive training.Cost: The 28-day package costs $289. The plan provides four weeks of meals and snacks. You add your own fruits, vegetables and dairy foods.Supplements: Yes. Calcium and multivitamins.Weigh-ins: No. Program Development: Dr. Jay Satz and a staff of nutritionists and dietitians. Based on research on the glycemic index, weight control and overall health.Commitment or Contract: A 30-day return policy on unused food.Comments: Not the same NutriSystem from many years ago. Much improved and strong program. Jenny Craig800-JENNY20www.jennycraig.comMembers: 100,000 clientsLocations: 641 centers and online/telephone program.Dieting Style: Personal consulting and portion-controlled meals.Best Fit: Busy person, doesnt mind prepared foods and needs focused support.Dieting Method: Portion-controlled food and a personalized food/body/mind approach. Packaged food (70 entrees and snacks) is an additional and required purchase.Exercise: Yes. Counselors create a personal fitness plan.Staff: Certified by famed Cooper Institute. All employees also attend classes in nutrition, exercise, motivation and stress management.Cost: Six weeks for $36, six months for $199 and one year is $399. Plus the cost of food, which averages $11-$15 per day.Supplements: Yes. Available at $3 per week but not required.Weigh-ins: Yes, plus body measurements.Program Development: A team of registered dietitians and an impressive medical advisory board.Commitment or Contract: None, other than prepayment. Can cancel with a full refund for the program fee and food within three days.Comments: Emerging as a leader in the area of packaged food and weight loss. TOPS Club (Take Off Pounds Sensibly)414-482-4620www.tops.orgMembers: 200,000.Locations: About 10,000 chapters.Dieting Style: Non-profit group support.Best Fit: Work well in groups and are budget-minded.Dieting Method: TOPS Club supports members with weekly meetings at chapters throughout the United States and Canada. They use private weigh-ins, positive reinforcement and professionally prepared programs, featuring information on nutrition, exercise and healthy lifestyles. Questions are answered at TOPS centers, by phone and e-mail.Exercise: Yes.Staff: 423 area captains, 128 coordinators and 12 regional directors assist skilled volunteer chapter leaders.Cost: $24 annually ($30 in Canada) plus chapter dues of 50 cents to $5.Supplements: No.Weigh-ins: Yes.Program Development: Founded in 1948 by Milwaukee homemaker Esther Manz.Commitment or Contract: No.Comments: Friendly, encouraging and a not-for-profit. L A Weight Loss800-526-SLIMwww.LA-WeightLoss.comMembers: 150,000.Locations: 900 worldwide.Dieting Style: One-on-one counseling with customized meal plans.Best Fit: Need personal coaching, and those who have the time to investigate their local center.Dieting Method: Personal coaches focus on three-tiered approach weight loss, a six-week stabilization phase and finally maintenance. Personalized meal plans. No food is sold.Exercise: Yes. Part of a customized program.Staff: Counselors made up of former or existing customers, who receive additional training.Cost: From $7-9 per week (based on a minimum 52-week program).Supplements: Yes, they sell supplements and bars, but they are not required at all locations. The cost varies but is approximately $4 per day.Weigh-ins: Yes.Program Development: Backed by weight-loss pioneer Harold Katz and supervised by registered dietitians and a national medical director.Commitment or Contract: Yes. It varies by franchise. You pay in advance, so make sure you understand the commitment and the counselor availability first.Comment: The company message seems inconsistent. Make sure to get pricing in advance. If you cant obtain this information over the phone, dont waste your time. Zone Diet At Home800-343-8036www.ZoneDietAtHome.comMembers: 2,500.Locations: Online or by phone.Dieting Style: Convenience, prepared foods.Best Fit: The busy, particular eater who doesnt cook.Dieting Method: Prepared foods delivered to your home. The meals are made up of 40 percent carbohydrates, 30 percent fat and 30 percent protein.There are several options: Lifestyle Program (fresh, not frozen, meals); Optimum Results Program (frozen meals); FroZone (gourmet frozen meals); and Kosher FroZone (gourmet, certified kosher frozen meals).Exercise: None offered.Staff: One nutritionistCost: $24.99 per day to $41.99 per day (depending on program choice) plus shipping (approximately $40-50 per week).Supplements: Available, but not required.Weigh-ins: No.Program Development: Accredited and experienced chefs, together with a nutritionist and food stylist, develop the meal programs.Commitment or Contract: You can cancel at any time, but the company will not take back food.Comments: Flexible, balanced food options.Charles Stuart Platkin is a nutrition and public health advocate, author of The Diet Detective's Count Down (Fireside/Simon & Schuster, 2007) and founder of Integrated Wellness Solutions. Copyright 2007 by Charles Stuart Platkin. Sign up for the free Diet Detective newsletter at www.dietdetective.com.