Specialty diets

If you want to lose weight with a specialty diet but aren't sure if there's a plan that's right for you, the good news is that there are dozens of them on the market, from Atkins to the Zone.

The sheer range of specialty diets allows you to pick a plan that fits your eating style and your lifestyle, and still includes foods that you enjoy.

To figure out which specialty diet will work for you, it helps to understand a little about your eating habits and lifestyle. Consider these areas:

• What type of foods do you like? For example, if you like fruit but hate eating rich foods, then Atkins is not for you. Look at what is included (and excluded) in a particular diet to see if it's likely that you'll stick to it.
  
  
• How much do you exercise? Many plans include regular exercise as part of the system. Be realistic about what you will be able to do.
  
  
• Do you prefer to eat fresh made food, or will you be happy with shakes and replacement meals?
  
  
• Does your lifestyle (work and other commitments) allow you the time to measure and prepare your own meals?
  
  
• What are your good habits? We are each a mixture of good and bad habits - it makes no sense to go on a diet that will force you to give up your good habits (for example, eating plenty of fresh fruit).
  
  
• What are your vices? The more realistic you are about your bad habits, the more you'll be able to plan around them and not let them sabotage your diet.