Online Diet Programs FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about Online Diet Programs

• What exactly is an online diet program and how does it differ from traditional diet plans?
• Do online diet programs have guarantees?
• What type of support do online diet programs provide?
• Do all online diet plans include exercise programs?
• What is a safe rate for weight loss?
• How do I know which diet is for me?
• Which diet will give me long-term success?
• What is the Glycemic Index diet?
• What is ketosis?
• What is considered a low-fat diet?
• What is a low-carb diet?
• Who should not use a diet?
• Do I have to exercise?
• Should I lift weights?
• What if I need help exercising?
• How did NextAdvisor review these online diet programs?

What exactly is an online diet program and how does it differ from traditional diet plans?

Online diet programs are where accountability meets convenience. Instead of having to attend meetings or go in for weekly weigh-ins, you can participate from the comfort of your own home. Additionally, the use of online tools takes a lot of the guesswork out of dieting - many plans come with internet-based software that charts your progress and counts the calories for you. According to the Associated Press, dieters lose three times more weight with online support.

Do online diet programs have guarantees?

Some of them do have satisfaction guarantees with the diet or the food you purchase, but not all of them do. No diet will guarantee your weight loss success. It is important to read the fine print on the plan before signing up.

What type of support do online diet programs provide?

Each program has its own support, but typically an online program will provide you with a progress tracker (usually in the form of a weekly weigh-in), some sort of meal planning and diet tracking, and community forums to talk about the diet with other people who are using the same plan.

Do all online diet plans include exercise programs?

No. Some online diet plans have no exercise portion, while others do have an exercise portion. The exercise portion can vary widely: the plan could include anything from exercise tips to complete exercise planning and instruction.

What is a safe rate for weight loss?

Most diets suggest that you aim for 1-2 lbs per week. For many diets, you may have a rapid weight loss in the first 1-2 weeks, and then the slowest rate of loss for the last 5 lbs.

How do I know which diet is for me?

It is important to evaluate each diet based on your long-term preferences. When reviewing a diet, it is helpful to ask yourself "Could I continue on this diet for 6-12 months? Could I stay on it indefinitely?" The most successful diets will work with your own preferences to create a long term strategy and overall life changes. Additionally, if you have any health concerns such as diabetes, heart disease, and age-related problems, or if you are a nursing mother, it is important to find a diet that will work for you. With any diet, especially if you have specific health concerns, it is a good idea to consult a doctor for assistance in choosing an appropriate diet match for you.

Which diet will give me long-term success?

In general, a diet that results in an overall change in your behavior will have the most lasting results. For example, a diet that creates a habit out of regular exercise and teaches you wise food choices and portion control will generally be more successful than one that just uses meal replacement products and no exercise component.

What is the Glycemic Index diet?

The Glycemic Index (or GI) is a ranking system that tells you how much a particular carbohydrate food item will affect your diet. Carbs that break down rapidly have the highest GI, while slowly digested carbs have the lowest GI. A low-GI diet has been proven to be effective in regulating blood sugar, losing weight, and managing diabetes.

What is ketosis?

Ketosis is the process by which your body converts fat into energy in the absence of available sugar in the blood. Ketosis is used for weight loss in many popular high-protein diets and medically supervised diets for the morbidly obese. Ketosis is not recommended for long-term use and still remains controversial in terms of adverse health effects.

What is considered a low-fat diet?

A low-fat diet is one that is low in "bad" fats such as saturated fats and cholesterol, and one that uses "good fats" (such as those found in olive oil and fish) sparingly.

What is a low-carb diet?

A low-carb diet is one that typically contains a variety of low-GI foods including vegetables, whole grain bread products, and lean meats.

Who should not use a diet?

Anyone who is pregnant or seriously ill should not attempt dieting at this time unless directed to do so by their physician. Nursing mothers should generally wait until their milk supply has been established and their child is eating solid foods before starting a diet program. Dieting is never appropriate for someone with an eating disorder.

Do I have to exercise?

Exercise is recommended with any diet because it helps you to burn calories, change your appetite, regulate your body, and give you an overall sense of well-being. It is important to consult your doctor before starting any exercise program, especially if you are obese and/or have specific health conditions. Exercise doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing approach, as you can easily start out with simple movements such as walking and work your way towards more intense exercise.

Should I lift weights?

Strength training and building muscle will aid your weight loss goals by increasing your resting metabolism rate. Additionally, weight-bearing exercises have been shown to increase bone density.

What if I need help exercising?

Consider hiring a personal trainer, if just for a few introductory lessons and to get a program created for you. Or, try joining a fitness class at your local rec center. Any activity that gets you up and moving will be good for your overall weight loss and health goals. Having a buddy or an instructor for your fitness goals will help you stay with your exercise program longer.

How did NextAdvisor review these online diet programs?

We thoroughly researched all the diet programs in this category, actually signing up for each plan. In the case of the meal delivery plans, we tasted and rated the food. We then compared diet plan offerings, food variety, support and fitness options. Close attention was paid to whether each diet program had specialty offerings for diabetics, vegetarians and others with specific dietary considerations. We also looked at whether the company had online support and how robust it is. Did it offer food tracking, weight loss journals and exercise plans? Was each weight loss plan personalized? In addition, we read pertinent news, consumer opinions and third-party research reports.

After our initial evaluation, we continue to monitor the plans and update our reviews as situations change. We also monitor the providers' sites for any program changes or specials.

We only include providers on our site that we believe offer a good value proposition. If there is a provider you know of that is not on our site, you can be fairly certain we did not rate that provider highly enough to include in our comparison. If you think we are missing a quality provider or have any other suggestions or comments, please contact us and let us know.