popular diets and your heart

Confused by the diets everyone’s buzzing about? Here are 12 popular diets that aim to transform your eating habits into a healthy lifestyle. We’ll show you just how heart-healthy they are.

By Lori Brookhart-Schervish
Reviewed by Stephanie Karpinkse, M. S., R.D., 2008

There’s no need for deprivation, so toss that cabbage soup out the window. Forget pre-packaged foods that can be high in sodium and full of preservatives. Imagine eating fresh, everyday foods with practical preparation.

If you’re looking for a heart-healthy weight-loss diet, Marsha McCulloch, R.D., recommends finding a plan that:

• Encourages fruits, vegetables, and high-fiber whole grain foods
• Promotes foods that are low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium
• Emphasizes portion control
• Allows gradual weight loss of 1/2 to 1 pound a week by cutting about 250–500 daily calories
• Includes regular physical activity and lifestyle changes to support a healthy weight

Read on for 12 popular diet plans and how they fit into your heart’s health.