Each year more than 45 million Americans take to the scales and embark on a diet program.  Over $350 billion a year are spent in the US on diets, diet foods, diet aides and supplements.  With the myriad of diet choices on the market it is difficult to know what is best choice for the prospective dieter. 

Every year a new diet fad emerges and may be endorsed by celebrities or other popular figures.  Any diet will have positive and negative effects for the dieter.  In most cases, the best choice for weight loss is small, incremental changes in lifestyle and healthy choices which will last a lifetime rather than the short, drastic options a diet brings. 

In the final analysis, most physicians will tell you that diets will fail, as they fail to address the behavioral and emotional issues that underlie poor food choices.  It takes time to change habits and patterns that have created the need for a weight loss or diet program.  The best choice for most people will be a healthy restriction in caloric intake using a balanced approach with an emphasis on ensuring the 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables a day have been met.  The other essential component in the diet plan is consistent, proper exercise.  Physical activity will raise metabolic rates, improve mood and speed up the weight loss process. 

CBS News reviewed the top ten most popular diet plans and found only Weight Watchers offered even the smallest proof that they actually worked at helping people lose weight and keep it off.  Weight Watchers had strong documentation that it had been successful in creating a 5% weight loss (about 10 pounds) in the first six month, but only half of that was still off two years later. 

Popular diet plans include Atkins’ low carbohydrate approach.  Atkins focuses on the reduction of “bad carbs” which includes refined sugars, flours and other refined carbohydrates.   While Atkins focuses on low glycemic foods but historically has not restricted saturated fats or caloric intake.  The newer Atkins plans are more modified than the original plans, but critics of the Atkins program express concern about the high levels of protein. 

The South Beach Diet gained massive popularity in recent years and while it focuses on carbohydrate restriction as well, especially in the early stages it has a more balanced approach to fat intake.  Developed by a cardiologist in 1996, the South Beach diet focuses on retraining the body not to crave carbohydrates with a realistic exercise plan.  Critics cite the difficulty in maintaining the restrictions over time and point to vitamin and mineral concerns from elimination of some foods. 

The Raw Foods Diet Plan has appeal for those worried about toxins and wanting an organic food plan.  The Raw Foods Diet focuses on unprocessed and uncooked organic plant foods such as fresh fruit, sprouts, seeds, vegetables, nuts and seaweed.  They believe that cooking foods above 116 degrees kills the enzymes in food.

The best diet plans are created by consulting with your physician, setting a realistic caloric intake target and increasing physical activity.