The Best Diet Plans

Consumer Reports, Forbes and CNN independently rated a total of 61 diet plans, and each group published its recommendations separately. Forbes and CNN used panels and behavioral studies to evaluate the plans. Consumer Reports used the same methods and, in addition, assessed clinical studies and adherence to nutritional guidelines. This article focuses on agreement between the three reviewers.

Two Recommendations

Four diets were recommended by two of the three reviewers: South Beach Diet; Zone Diet; Spectrum Diet and Jenny Craig.

The South Beach Diet focuses on healthy portions and nutrient density.

The cornerstone of the Zone Diet is its unique ratio of food types: carbohydrates, 40 percent; fat, 30 percent and proteins, 30 percent. Dr. Barry Sears, creator of the program, believes this ratio maintains balanced hormones and consistent glycemic levels.

The Spectrum, developed by Dr. Dean Ornish, focuses on nutrition, physical activity, relationships and stress management. Participants eat a vegetarian diet and focus on building a balanced lifestyle.

Key tenets of the Jenny Craig program are personal coaching and Jenny Craig brand foods. Participants also eat fruits, vegetables, milk and cereal.

Three Recommendations

All three reviewers were unanimous in recommending Weight Watchers and the Sonoma Diet. Weight Watchers was the highest rated of any of the plans and clearly still the gold standard.

Foods in the Sonoma wine country are heavily influenced by Mediterranean, Latin American and Asian cuisines. Adapted from the Sonoma region, the diet focuses on "power foods," including wine, whole grains, tomatoes, strawberries, spinach, olive oil, broccoli, grapes, lean protein, feta cheese, almonds, bell peppers and blueberries.

Weight Watchers offers group meetings, online support, personal consultants and two flexible food plans. The Flex plan is based on a point system. The Core plan places no limits on food quantity, but required the member to eat only nutrient-dense foods.

Vegetarians

The Spectrum Diet, with two recommendations, and the Macrobiotic Diet, with one recommendation, are good choices for vegetarians.

Low fat and high fiber are the hallmarks of the Macrobiotic Diet. Because of its focus on seasonal vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds, it is easily adaptable for vegetarians. The diet does include moderate amounts of fish, however.