The Trick: Lots of water in everything you eat
Pioneered by nutritionist Dr. Barbara J. Rolls, who co-authored
The Volumetrics Weight-Control Plan with journalist Robert A. Barnett in 2000, the Volumetrics diet focuses on eating foods that have high water content to promote the feeling of satiety and combat feelings of hunger and deprivation. Foods such as soup and non-starchy vegetables are favored over calorie-dense foods like chips and cookies. "It's not a gimmick where you're giving up a whole food group," says Rolls. It teaches people to "eat for optimal health and eat what they should be eating."
Breakdown:
6-month attrition rate (n/a),
6-month mean weight loss (19.6 lbs.)
12-month attrition rate (27%)
12-month mean weight loss (17.4 lbs.)
12-month BMI decrease (2.9),
Nutrition score (n/a),
Clinical study (
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, June 2007)