How Do the Diets Stack Up?

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DON'TS Eat whatever you please, but every food has a point value based on its fiber, fat and calorie content, and your daily intake has to stay below your allotted maximum

THE CLAIM Points-based eating allows for safe and gradual weight loss. If you exercise, you can tack on daily bonus points

BOTTOM LINE Nutritionists like any plan that promotes portion control and substitutes low-fat, high-fiber foods for fatty ones. Also check out the book Change One (Reader's Digest; changeone.com) which relies on a similar philosophy

DO IT YOUR WAY Thin for Life

WHAT YOU DO The book doesn't lay out a strict plan but offers common-sense advice from "masters" who have lost 20 lbs. or more and kept the weight off for at least three years

DON'TS There are no rules, but the masters favor low-fat eating, regular mealtimes, food journaling, realistic goals and exercise

THE CLAIM You'll lose weight successfully if you do it your way. But diets that claim you can eat all you want and still lose weight--or depend on such unscientific treatments as body wraps, injections and fat-burning supplements--are probably unreliable

BOTTOM LINE This gimmick-free book relies on the old rule: to lose weight, burn more calories than you consume

EXERCISE The Step Diet

WHAT YOU DO Use the pedometer that comes with the book to monitor steps taken per day

DON'TS Don't make lifestyle changes you'll give up on: reduce food intake 25% and increase daily steps by 500 (five flights of stairs) every week for 12 weeks

THE CLAIM Counting steps is a more effective way to lose weight than counting calories

BOTTOM LINE Who can argue with the advice to be more active? --By Sora Song

Sources: Dr. Howard Eisenson, Duke Diet & Fitness Center; Samantha Heller, N.Y.U. Medical Center; American Dietetic Association