New Year's & Diets

When the new year rolls around, most people vow to eat better and workout more regularly. If you are working 12-hour days, choosing a diet that requires a lot of preparation will not suit your lifestyle. If you are a vegetarian, it can be difficult to follow one of the many low-carb diets. Choosing a diet you can stick with is one of the hardest parts of turning over a new leaf.

The Mediterranean Diet

The Mediterranean diet consist of monounsaturated fats instead of animal fats.

The Mediterranean diet consists of eating yogurt, cheese, fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, olive oil and fish. When following this diet, you will limit your consumption of processed foods, poultry, eggs and red meat. Another key component to the Mediterranean diet is red wine, which is supposed to be consumed daily in small amounts.

South Beach Diet

Vegetables are strongly encouraged in the South Beach Diet.

The South Beach Diet is a low-carb diet, which consists of three phases. It was developed by Dr. Arthur Agatston from Miami Beach, Fla. Although this diet is not as restrictive as other low-carb diets, you are encouraged to eat more protein than carbs. Carbohydrates are not banned in this diet, but you should limit your intake of sugar and processed foods. Instead of eating three meals a day, followers of the South Beach diet eat snacks regularly to keep full.

Zone Diet

Lean protein and vegetables are highly encouraged on the Zone Diet.

Following the Zone Diet will teach you how to eat three healthy meals and two snacks per day. Followers of the diet are encouraged to eat olive oil, low-fat dairy, fruits, vegetables, poultry and lean red meat. You are supposed to cut out sugar, processed food and dairy products that are high in fat. The Zone Diet teaches you how to eat and what time of day it is better to consume certain foods.

Weight Watchers

Measure your food for the Weight Watchers Diet.

Weight Watchers is all about portion control. You can still eat your favorite foods, but you learn how to eat everything in moderation with a point system. You are taught how to measure food while watching your fat, calorie and carb intake. Although Weight Watchers stresses the importance of unprocessed foods, you can still enjoy your favorite foods as a treat on this program.