A: If you’ve lost your Weight Watchers lifetime membership number, they can retrieve it, as long as you live in the same area where you signed up. Just call 800-651-6000 or go to the site and email Weight Watchers to get your number. If you have moved away from the area where you signed up, Weight Watchers suggests you fill out a new Lifetime Membership Information Request Form at your new Weight Watchers meeting location.

If you are interested in checking out some other diet plans, we review both Do-It-Yourself Plans and Meal Delivery Plans that could fit your diet needs. To check out the reviews, click here.

Not only does the food actually taste good, but one of the things we like about Diet To Go is its variety of delivery options. Diet-to-go has physical locations in Washington DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia and San Francisco for pick-up, but you can have your meals shipped to you anywhere in the US. You can also choose whether you want five or seven day meal plans, and whether you want them to be full or partial (i.e just lunch and dinner) plans. For the taste test, we picked up our order at a Walgreens store that was just a couple of blocks away. If you prefer it on your doorstep, that's even more convenient!

Read more about Diet To Go and get our special promo code!

If you want even more structure, eDiets Fresh Prepared Meals delivery program is offering deals that include 3 weeks of meals for free as well as free shipping for the life of your diet! You can also get free shipping and a 1 week of meals for free from the TV inspired Biggest Loser meal plan. With meals delivered straight to your door, dieting can't get any easier. Compare all of our meal delivery programs here!

A: Fresh Prepared Meals is a comprehensive meal delivery program that is best for people who prefer a more structured plan. Both the 5-day and 7-day plans feature a standardized meal plan, so if you have very specific dietary needs, the Fresh Prepared Meal program may not be for you. However, there are ways in which you can customize it a little bit more. For example, you can sign into your account each week and select which foods out of their selection you want to receive, giving you the ability to customize your meals a little bit more. Thus, if your husband does not eat poultry, there are ways in which he could choose other foods at the beginning of each week. Read more about Fresh Prepared Meals!

Another great, and low-priced, meal delivery service option would be Nutrisystem, which has special meal plans for men in particular. With Nutrisystem, the meals are more customizable and may be a better option for you. Read more about Nutrisystem here.

Want more choices? Compare all of our meal delivery diet programs.

Q. Is the eDiets program available for full use on iPad?

A. Sorry to say, iPad doesn't support eDiets. eDiets says it is working on it, but there is no ETA. Your best bet, if possible, is to use your online diet program on a standard computer.

Nutrisystem is offering you an awesome deal right now: 15% off Flex plan with fresh-frozen food OR 20% off basic Flex plan, both with free shipping! You don't need a coupon code. All you need to do is follow any link to Nutrisystem from NextAdvisor.com. Yum!

P.S. Like our blog? Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and give us a +1 on Google+ (top of this page) to help our information reach more consumers!

Q. Can you do Weight Watchers Online and still go to an occasional meeting?

A. Weight Watchers programs can seem a bit confusing at first, but there are a couple of important distinctions. Weight Watchers offers two programs: Weight Watchers and Weight Watchers Online. The latter is only online, and you may not attend meetings. The first one, however, is meetings-based with the option to add eTools for $12.95 extra per month, and then you can track your points and progress online.

So if you want to attend any meetings, you should sign up for Weight Watchers and, if you want the support of Weight Watchers Online, add eTools.

Gulf rock shrimp primavera is a typical dinner choice from BistroMD. Yum!

It's almost June again, and you know what that means: graduations and Father's Day. Get your dad or your special graduate—or even yourself!—25 to 50% off the next BistroMD order of doctor-designed, chef-prepared meals!

Maybe you know someone who's about to graduate but still complains of that Freshman 15. Give that graduate a gift that will give him or her a leg up in the competitive job market: 25% a BistroMD diet plan order! Click here, and use coupon code BistroGrad25.

Or perhaps your dad's been struggling with keeping up a healthy diet because he's sick of steamed broccoli and skinless chicken breasts. BistroMD will hook him up with tasty new options, and he can get 50% off his next order. Click here, and enter coupon code BistroDad50!

These BistroMD online diet plan offers are only good until June 30, so hop to it!

Q. I have a Lifetime membership in Weight Watchers. Won't that affect my online sign-up price?

A. Sadly, it won't. From the website:

"There is no Lifetime membership discount for Weight Watchers Online and there is both a sign-up fee and a monthly charge. If you continue to attend Weight Watchers Meetings, we suggest you subscribe to Weight Watchers eTools; but if you are not going to Meetings, you may want to consider Weight Watchers Online."

Yeah, we think it's kind of bogus, too, but at this time, your Lifetime membership to Weight Watchers won't give you a discount for the online portion. If you're going to meetings and keeping track of your food intake but you think you'd benefit from using Weight Watchers Online as well, we can offer you a 30% discount on three months if you click here. If you're thinking of switching diet plans, we review many others here.

Q. Do the diet plans you review have meals for stomach problems like irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux, etc.?

A. Unfortunately, none of the diet plans we review have specific plans for these difficulties, but armed with a little knowledge, you can customize a diet plan to avoid triggers and include more beneficial foods. Some tips:

A primary factor in controlling IBS flare-ups is avoiding trigger foods, which aggravate your digestive system. Although these differ from person to person, there are quite a few similarities, so make sure at least to avoid the following: too much fruit, artificial sweeteners, fatty and fried foods,  cruciferous vegetables (cauliflower, beans, cabbage), caffeine, alcohol, chocolate, gluten, spicy foods, and dairy products. If you notice symptoms after eating a food not included in this list, make note of it, and avoid it in the future. It's also important to increase your fiber and drink plenty of water.

Acid reflux's list of foods to avoid is similar. You want to stop or moderate intake of acidic foods, fatty and fried foods, alcohol, and caffeine in addition to personal trigger foods.

Some of these principles go hand in hand with a healthy diet, but others you're going to have to monitor more closely. You can still follow a diet plan; just make sure it offers plenty of room for customization. Our top picks:

eDiets: This is the most customizable diet plan we reviewed. It's based entirely on portion control and healthier food choices, so you can follow your preferences. If, for example, a given week's menu suggests broccoli but you have IBS, you can switch it out for, say, green beans.

Weight Watchers: Although Weight Watchers Online suggests meals and recipes, you're free to substitute your own. Search for the foods you eat often, input recipes you frequently cook, and keep track of your points.

So it takes a little effort, but you can follow an online DIY diet program if you suffer from digestive issues. Just remember to choose one that allows for personalization. Good luck!

Addictions aren't simple, but there is help. Admission is the first step to recovery. So how do you know if you're addicted to food? Here are some of the symptoms:

• Obsessive thoughts about food
• Anxiety about eating that usually results in continued eating
• Eating when you're not hungry or when you're upset
• Worrying frequently about overeating
• Eating just because food is around
• Eating large amounts quickly
• Eating until you feel sick
• Feeling guilty or ashamed after eating
• Hiding food to binge on it in secret later
• Trouble functioning because you're either overeating or trying to control it

If you or someone you love is suffering from food addiction, most important is seeking a therapist who specializes in eating disorders. Your next step should be a diet plan that helps you control your level of desire, no matter the situation. That's why a meal delivery plan would be best for you: It sets you up with pre-made food for all your meals, taking out the guesswork. Here are our top picks for online diet programs that can help you improve your relationship with food and overcome food addiction:

Bistro MD: This is easily the best option for anyone suffering from food addiction, and it's also our top taste choice for lunches. Fully cooked meals — even snacks should you decide to include them — can be delivered to your door every day for $179.95 a week. Just pop them in the microwave, and enjoy! You also have phone access to a dietitian if you need it. Click here to sign up with Bistro MD and save $75 off your first order with coupon code LuckyBistro75.

Diet-to-Go: Much like Bistro MD, Diet-to-Go can deliver meals right to you. The food is fresher and generally better-tasting than Bistro MD, but user support is much more limited. It also costs a bit less, so if dietitian support is not important to you, we recommend this option. Click here and use coupon code APRILDEAL to save 20% with Diet-to-Go.

The Biggest Loser: If you've got a sweet tooth, you'll love this plan designed for viewers of the eponymous TV show. Unlike Bistro MD and Diet-to-Go, The Biggest Loser offers dessert! Each week, you log into your online account and select the meals you want delivered. They'll be prepared to order and shipped to you and your microwave. Users also have email, phone, and online chat access to dietitians. The food isn't as good is either of the previous plans, which might actually help you break the addiction, but it's not bad, which will encourage you to stay on the plan. Click here to sign up.

eDiets Fresh Prepared: This plan also offers dessert and has the tastiest breakfast meals. The seven-day complete program includes pre-made breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a snack or dessert every day for $160 a week plus shipping. eDiets.com offers many resources, including a social networking tool, in addition to the meals. The fitness component is strong as well, so this program is great for anyone looking to make a complete lifestyle change. Click here to sign up.

If your goal is to lose weight in 2010, check out our reviews of online diet programs. Dieters tend to lose more weight with online support, and the services we've reviewed offer tools and tips to help you succeed.

And if you want to save more money this year, take a look at our reviews of online savings accounts. Since online banks have lower overhead costs than traditional banks, they can afford to offer the highest annual percentage yields.

To learn more about Weight Watchers and other online diet services, see our reviews and comparison chart.

In addition to sharing her wisdom on television, Jillian Michaels dispenses advice through her online diet program. She may not be able to train and coach you personally, but her online program is the next best thing. To learn more about Jillian Michaels' weight loss plan and other online diet services, see our reviews and comparison chart.

Q: How do I switch from a center to mail order because there is not a center near where I am moving?

A: Jenny Direct, Jenny Craig's at home weight loss program, offers the same food, tools, and personal support that are available at Jenny Craig's local centers. Your Jenny Cuisine and program materials will be delivered by mail, and you'll speak with your consultant over the phone. Current Jenny Craig memberships are transferable back and forth, from a Jenny Craig center to Jenny Direct and vice versa. To transfer your membership to Jenny Direct, just speak with your personal consultant or request an instant call back from a Jenny Craig customer service representative.

To learn more about Jenny Craig and other online diet services, see our reviews and comparison chart.

If you are on a diet, or simply want to make an effort to choose healthy foods, do not be convinced by the sight of a Smart Choices label. If you are truly concerned about making smart choices at the grocery store, consider an online diet service. Many of the DIY diet services reviewed on NextAdvisor.com offer grocery list planning assistance. To learn more, see our reviews and comparison chart.

Q: I'm a lifetime [Weight Watchers] member but I have not attended for a long time. I would like to join again. How does the lifetime membership work, are you charged for not attending a meeting or are you charged only for the meetings that you attend?

A: Weight Watchers meetings members who reach their goal weight and maintain that goal weight within two pounds for six consecutive weeks are awarded lifetime memberships. Lifetime members may attend Weight Watchers meetings at no charge, as long as they remain no more than two pounds above their goal weight.

Once you have reached lifetime member status, you will always be a lifetime member and will never have to pay another registration fee. You must weigh in at your first meeting of every month, and if you weigh more than two pounds more than your goal weight, you'll be charged the weekly fee. You will not be expected to pay for missed meeting unless you have not weighed in within a one month period. You are always eligible for lifetime benefits, and depending on your location, you may be eligible for discounted fees.

If you have misplaced your lifetime member number, you can call Weight Watchers at 800-651-6000, or by filling out a request form at WeightWatchers.com.

To learn more about Weight Watchers or other diet services, see our reviews and comparison chart.

Q: I want to try Nutrisystem, but I'm a picky eater and I'm afraid I might not like the food. Can I try it for free, or get my money back if I don't like it?

A: Nutrisystem does allow returns and offers a money back guarantee on non-frozen foods. After you recieve your first order, you'll have seven days to decide whether or not you like the food. You can call Nutrisystem at any time within those seven days and return the remaining food for a full refund, minus the cost of shipping.

If you do decide to continue with Nutrisystem, you'll also have the option to return or exchange any  non-frozen food items that you don't care for, as long as the package is unopened and you return it within 30 days. Nutrisystem does not allow returns on frozen foods.

To learn more about Nutrisystem or other meal delivery diet services, take a look at our reviews and comparison chart.

But, according to the independent Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), acai is no more beneficial for you than produce you would find at your local supermarket. The CSPI's Johnny Bowden recently addressed the topic of acai in an interview with CNN:

"Virtually every berry — blueberry, strawberry, goji, acai — are anti-inflammatory and high in antioxidants," Bowden said. "This particular one is exotic. It's found in Brazil. It's been marketed to have more of a magic ingredient. It's been over-hyped and marketed to death. There are claims to curing cancer, curing baldness that is all over the place."

The claims and marketing tactics used by acai proponents have been so outlandish that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently began a review of the practices of many of the companies promoting these products.

The truth is that there is little or no clinical research explicitly showing that acai is any more beneficial than any number of other fruits with similar antioxidant properties. So, while acai may be considered as part of a overall diet regiment, it is by no means a silver bullet for weight loss.

We have reviewed a number diet programs and meal plans that can help you develop a healthy lifestyle and lose weight the right way. Learn more by visiting our comparison of diet programs and meal plans.

To learn more about Medifast or other meal plan diet services, see our reviews and comparison chart.

The researchers' conclusions give dieters the freedom and flexibility to choose whichever diet plan appeals to them. An online diet service provides the tools and support to help you stick to whichever plan you choose. If you are considering embarking on a new diet, check out our reviews and comparison charts for help deciding which one is right for you.

Q: Why wasn't Jenny Craig a part of the comparison against the other online diets?

A: Jenny Craig is a very well known brand in the weight loss world. Because the primary service offered by Jenny Craig takes place off-line in local service centers, we felt that it didn't fit very well into our comparison of online diet services. That being said, Jenny Craig does offer a service called Jenny Direct which includes meal delivery. You can learn more about Jenny Direct by visiting the Jenny Craig website.

We are constantly evaluating and expanding our comparisons and reviews, so we may add a Jenny Craig review to our comparison in the future. In the meantime, you can view the comparison on online diet services that we have reviewed on NextAdvisor.com.

"There is plenty of weight loss advice available on the Internet," said NextAdvisor.com Associate Editor Caitlin Podiak. "But since it can be so overwhelming, we thought it would be helpful to create a simple, straightforward guide specifically created for people who are contemplating beginning a new diet."

This guide emphasizes sensible lifestyle choices rather than gimmicks or fads. It discusses the importance of realistic expectations, choosing the right diet, eating healthy, well balanced meals, exercising, and staying motivated. "Lose the Weight this Year" also explores some of the valuable dieting tools and resources available through the Internet, including recipe databases, meal planning tools, personalized fitness plans, and meal delivery services. NextAdvisor.com has also reviewed online diet programs and meal delivery services from several providers, including eDiets, WeightWatchers and Nutrisystem.

"The idea behind this guide was to focus on positive long-term lifestyle changes, which are healthier and more successful than crash diets," said Podiak.

In addition to compiling basic, common sense weight loss principles, this guide prepares dieters for some of the challenges they will face as they attempt to reach their diet goals. Dieters who know what to expect are more likely to move past these challenges with ease.

"Lose the Weight this Year: A Common Sense Dieter's Guide" is available for free by visiting:

http://www.nextadvisor.com/blog/2008/12/02/lose-the-weight-this-year-a-common-sense-dieter%E2%80%99s-guide/

About NextAdvisor.com:

NextAdvisor.com is the trusted, independent source for comparing the most valuable Internet services. The company's mission is to help consumers save money and improve their lives by presenting them with useful comparisons and reviews of service providers and a clear explanation of each service and how it works. The company currently reviews, compares and explains many different types of services including credit report and monitoring, identity theft protection, voice over IP, diet plans, DVD rental and movie download, online education, online tax preparation and online backup. Learn more at http://www.nextadvisor.com.

Have realistic expectations

Dieters with unrealistic expectations about how long it will take to reach their weight loss goals are more likely to give up on dieting altogether. They are also more likely to fall into a cycle of starving themselves and then overeating. Many people would like to lose a great deal of weight very quickly, but slow and steady weight loss is healthier and more likely to lead to long-term success. Smaller, more attainable goals are more productive.

Losing one to two pounds each week would be a reasonable goal, for example. Focusing on short-term goals can also help dieters stay on track. If your long-term goal is to lose 25 pounds, you should assume that this will take at least three months, and keep yourself motivated by concentrating on losing the first five pounds, or on getting through the day without eating too much.

Determine your weight loss goals before you begin a new diet, and plan accordingly. Consider factors such as your age and body type when setting these goals. Genetics do play a role in determining your body type, but they provide a range of weights that are possible, depending on your diet and exercise habits. And your metabolism slows as you age, which means that you sometimes have to change your diet and exercise habits if you want to avoid gaining weight.

Ask yourself why you want to lose weight, how much you want to lose, whether you will be willing to move past minor setbacks or plateaus, whether you will be able to focus on your weight loss goals, and whether you're committed to losing weight for yourself, rather than for someone else.

If you have trouble setting realistic weight loss goals for yourself, there are many valuable online resources that can help. The diet programs reviewed here at NextAdvisor.com include tools that can help you create a solid, realistic plan.

Choose the right diet for you

One of the most crucial steps toward achieving your weight loss goals is choosing the right diet. Most diet plans will help you lose some weight initially, but the best diets will also help you keep the weight off permanently. Fad diets that promise immediate weight loss often do more harm than good when it comes to losing and maintaining weight, and diets that advertise easy or painless weight loss are not usually effective. A good diet is flexible, and doesn't usually require you to completely give up certain types of food. It is much harder to stick to a healthy eating plan if it is overly strict.

When choosing a diet plan, it helps to take your personality and lifestyle tendencies into account. If you tend to be impulsive, you may need to concentrate on avoiding temptations. If you tend to snack mindlessly, you should avoid situations where you are likely to eat without paying attention, such as snacking in front of the television. If you eat to alleviate anxiety, boredom or depression, you should focus on breaking those habits.

With so many diet plans to choose from, you may find the diet analysis services offered by eDiets helpful in determining which plan is the best for you. This online diet program also gives users access to registered dietitians, who will answer questions and give advice.

Eat nutritious meals in sensible portions

It may seem obvious, but a strong emphasis on sensibly portioned, nutritious meals should be an integral element of any good diet plan. You may find that strictly monitoring your calorie intake works best for you, or you may prefer a more low-key approach to dieting, but either way, you should strive to make healthy decisions about food.

If you're hungry, eat something. Don't skip meals or starve yourself, because you'll probably wind up overeating later on.

If you can, cook your own meals as much as possible. When you make your own food, you know exactly what you're eating. It is easier to make healthy choices when you are in control, such as using low-fat plain yogurt in place of sour cream and mayonnaise and buying low-fat cheese and milk instead of full-fat versions. You're also more likely to slow down and connect with your food, rather than eating quickly and mindlessly. It it's difficult for you to find time to cook, plan ahead by making extra food when you do have time and then freezing it for future use. eDiets, WeightWatchers and other online diet services offer meal planning tools, recipe databases, and grocery shopping list generators to help you. If you simply don't have time to cook, meal delivery services from Nutrisystem, eDiets DeliciouslyYours and Diet-to-go make eating well-balanced, correctly portioned meals nearly effortless. These services provide breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as snacks and desserts.

When you do eat at a restaurant, you can still strive to make healthy choices. Many of the online diet services reviewed at NextAdvisor.com include guidance and nutrition information to help you when ordering at a restaurant. Skip the bread. Eat slowly, since it can take up to 20 minutes for your body to register that you are full. Don't count on the restaurant to determine the correct portion size for you; ask how generous the servings are, and if they're big enough, either share with your dining companions or plan to bring some food home for another night.

Most of us are conditioned to believe that we are supposed to clean our plate, but our plates often contain far more food than we should be eating. There can be a great deal of pressure to eat more than you should at family gatherings, for instance. Don't let your family derail your diet plan. Be polite but firm when you've had enough to eat.

If your stomach is grumbling between meals, there's no need to suffer until dinnertime. Eating snacks between meals can help you avoid eating too much later in the day. The trick is to eat healthy snacks, and only eat them when you are actually hungry. Try to eat foods that you don't normally have during meals. Moderate amounts of fruits, vegetables, nuts, cheese and yogurt make good, healthy snacks. If you must eat cookies or candy, keep your portions small. When you buy chips or other snack foods, read the nutrition information to find out how many calories, grams of sugar you will be eating, and avoid anything with "partially hydrogenated vegetable oil." You should also check the serving size, which frequently turns out to be much less than the amount you actually eat at one sitting. The perfect snack should fill you up and give you energy for around 100 calories or less. It should include some carbohydrates, about 5 grams of fiber, at least 5 grams of protein, and a little bit of unsaturated fat. If you find yourself tempted to snack on unhealthy foods at work, plan ahead by bringing a supply of healthy snacks to your office. Avoid resorting to the vending machine. If you find yourself snacking due to stress or boredom rather than hunger, try chewing gum instead.

If you do indulge in foods that aren't part of your diet plan, don't give up. An occasional treat isn't going to ruin your diet, but giving up altogether definitely will. If you find yourself in a situation in which you can't avoid eating foods that are not part of your diet plan, don't beat yourself up about it. Drink water, so you can at least feel good about your beverage choice, and move on by planning to eat extra healthy the next day.

Exercise regularly

The best way to lose weight is to combine diet and exercise. When you embark on a new diet plan, you should also begin exercising regularly. In many cases, a new exercise routine will actually make it easier to eat healthier foods. And if you've eaten more than you should have, you can always compensate by taking a brisk walk or going for a run to burn those extra calories.

The most effective exercise routines combine cardio, which burns calories, with weight lifting, since building muscle increases the number of calories your body burns while at rest. An online diet service such as eDiets or WeightWatchers can be especially helpful in this regard, offering personalized fitness plans and access to certified fitness trainers as well as fitness news and tips.

Track your progress

Dieters who weigh themselves regularly and track their progress generally find it easier to notice missteps and stick to their diet and exercise plan. Recording your progress helps you stay focused on your weight loss goals and move past challenges. The online diet services reviewed at NextAdvisor.com include a variety of tools to help track your progress, as well as online support systems to help keep you motivated.