The emphasis is on success in this diet class in Baltimore County. But the can probably tell you from experience...not all diets work.
Wendy Long, a successful dieter, told us "After trying to lose weight on our own, counting calories, counting fat... nothing worked long-term for us."
Stories like that one...are behind this visit to the consumer reports kitchen for a test of some of today's popular diets.
The Low-Carb Atkins Diet is big on protein and fat...rice and potatoes are a definite no. The Super Low-Fat Ornish Diet includes lots of vegetables and grains...but no meat. This Weight Watchers meal includes skinless roasted chicken, broccoli and rice...and a salad with low-fat dressing. those diets...along with six others...includng Slim Fast, South Beach, and Jenny Craig were tested.
Nancy Metcalf, from Consumer Reports, explained "We took a week's worth of menus from each diet and calculated exactly what was in them. Every calorie, everything and measured to see how well the conformed to the new 2005 dietary guidelines."
When it comes to nutrition...the Atkins Diet did not pass the test.
"The main thing that was wrong with Atkins nutritionally is it had about twice as much fat as the dietary guidelines call for and also about twice as much saturated fat." Metcalf continued.
Consumer reports also reviewed clinical research to see if people actually stuck to their diets and how much weight they lost. They found some...including Jenny Craig and South Beach diets, don't have much research to support their claims.
The Slim Fast Diet calls for having its shakes or bars with two meals a day. The consumer reports test found the Slim Fast plan does not meet the new dietary guidelines and is good short-term...but not so good long-term.
Added Metcalf, "The problem is that people don't seem to be able to stick with it for the long term. We think maybe they're just getting sick of it."
Wendy had the same problem too. Finding a diet she could stick with.
"I knew I needed something that would last forever." concluded Long.
In the end...it was Weight Watchers that worked for Wendy. And because people were more likely to stick to it...and the meals provided balanced nutrition with an emphasis on fiber, fruits and vegetables...it got the consumer reports top rating.
Denise Dory...ABC 2News.
