Just in case you are looking for a structured plan for eating, here are 10 plans that can also help with your weight loss journey.
Create A Fit Life is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET
This diet shows up at the top of many “diet” lists. It consists of fish, olive oil, healthy fats, and fresh vegetables. It is balanced and pretty. The plates are colorful and attractive.
- 🍎 COMPREHENSIVE MEDITERRANEAN DIET GUIDE: This Mediterranean diet cookbook offers a complete, easy-to-follow guide for anyone interested in starting the Mediterranean lifestyle. It includes a detailed best Mediterranean cookbook 2024, along with delicious recipes that make it simple to get started.
- 🥙 WHO CAN BENEFIT? Ideal for individuals with diabetes (Type 1 & Type 2), heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, arthritis, osteoporosis, obesity, metabolic syndrome, digestive issues (IBS), and those at risk of cognitive decline (Alzheimer’s, dementia). This diet supports weight management, gut health, and overall well-being with nutrient-rich, anti-inflammatory foods.
- 🥬 QUICK AND EASY RECIPES: Enjoy healthy meals in just 30 minutes with our quick and easy Mediterranean diet cookbook. The recipes in the complete Mediterranean cookbook are designed to be simple and delicious, making it easy to stick to a healthy lifestyle.
- English (Publication Language)
- 440 Pages - 12/27/2016 (Publication Date) - America's Test Kitchen (Publisher)
- Ellsworth, Mary (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 90 Pages - 03/12/2025 (Publication Date) - Independently published (Publisher)
WW (formerly WEIGHT WATCHERS)
For years, research has supported the fact that Weight Watchers is one of the best weight-loss diets. Thanks to its flexibility, easy-to-understand food tracking system, and group support, Weight Watchers consistently ranks well as an overall food plan for weight loss.
THE NUTRITARIAN DIET
The Nutritarian diet is based on maximizing the amount of healthy vitamins, minerals, and trace nutrients in your food, balancing your hormones, and avoiding toxins. This plan is nutrient-dense, plant-rich, and includes anti-cancer superfoods to help you not just lose weight but live a long, disease-free life. Healthy, but not much flexibility.
- Audible Audiobook
- Joel Fuhrman (Author) - Joel Fuhrman, Timothy Andrés Pabon (Narrators)
- English (Publication Language)
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Fuhrman, Joel (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- Audible Audiobook
- Joel Fuhrman M.D. (Author) - Joel Fuhrman (Narrator)
- English (Publication Language)
THE KETO DIET
The keto diet is a low carb diet. It is high fat, high protein and low carb. You can lose weight quickly on a low carb diet and your appetite will decrease. This food plan is not without its drawbacks. Make sure you understand this diet completely before getting started.
- Simple, Easy To Follow Keto Book For Beginners! Going Keto is a breeze with Keto Cheat Sheets Magnets Booklet! Designed by Keto people FOR Keto people. Your go-to tool for eating clean and staying on track. Simple, straightforward & stress-free - an easy approach to starting your healthy lifestyle.
- Well Organized & Easy to Use. Introduction To Keto Diet For Beginners Keto Book has a wide variety of 168 keto food & keto chow snack items conveniently sorted into 5 easy categories – finding common ingredients is ridiculously easy. This portable Magnetic Keto Food Planning Tool Chart simplifies creating a keto cookbook meal plan guide & shopping list. Easily track your low carb ketogenic diet for quick weight loss success.
- Accurate, Comprehensive & Informative. Keto Diet Book Guide provides thoroughly researched keto food list nutritional data, so you can skip the tedious work. Featuring precise keto foods mojo serving sizes with associated weights, kCal, fats, protein and net carbs – it's the ultimate reference guide for beginners & experts. Create delicious, healthy, quick & easy meals in less than 30 minutes.
- Hardcover Book
- Axe, Dr. Josh (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- Ramos, Amy (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 158 Pages - 12/20/2016 (Publication Date) - Callisto (Publisher)
CICO
This food plan is based on simple mathematics. If you eat fewer calories than it takes to maintain your body weight, you will lose weight. You can also lower your daily net calories by burning them through exercise as well. In theory, it sounds simple.
- Knipp, Aaron (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 180 Pages - 01/07/2020 (Publication Date) - Inspire Books (Publisher)
- Harper, Mason (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 110 Pages - 04/29/2024 (Publication Date) - Independently published (Publisher)
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Fink, Tom (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
DASH DIET
DASH stands for “dietary approach to stop hypertension” and was created by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as a way to help reverse national trends of obesity and heart disease. Doctors particularly recommend it for people looking to lower high blood pressure, reverse diabetes, and lower their risk of heart disease.
- Heller, Marla (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 256 Pages - 12/17/2019 (Publication Date) - Balance (Publisher)
- Carrillo MS RDN LD, Maria-Paula (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 220 Pages - 08/04/2020 (Publication Date) - Callisto (Publisher)
- Brown, Kellyann (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 115 Pages - 02/21/2025 (Publication Date) - Independently published (Publisher)
THE ORNISH DIET
The Ornish diet is a low-fat, plant-based diet plan based on whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and legumes. It’s based on a lacto-ovo style of vegetarianism, allowing only egg whites and nonfat dairy products. It’s packed with vitamins, fiber, and lots of filling plants to keep you satiated.
- Ornish M.D., Dean (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 528 Pages - 01/04/2022 (Publication Date) - Ballantine Books (Publisher)
- Ornish, Dean (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 672 Pages - 12/30/1995 (Publication Date) - Ivy Books (Publisher)
- Rivers, Curnow K. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 85 Pages - 07/18/2023 (Publication Date) - Independently published (Publisher)
THE PRIMAL BLUEPRINT
The Primal Blueprint is similar to the Paleo diet, which has roots in how our long-ago ancestors supposedly ate. This plan ditches grain, sugars, and processed foods while focusing on clean eating with plenty of protein (both animal- and plant-based), lots of vegetables, fruits, and healthy fats.
- Sisson, Mark (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 576 Pages - 01/02/2019 (Publication Date) - Primal Blueprint Publishing (Publisher)
- PRIMAL PROBIOTICS: Digestive support
- HELPS SUPPORT THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
- PROBIOTICS AND PREBIOTICS: Four strains of probiotics and 200mg of prebiotics per capsule
- Sisson, Mark (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 192 Pages - 10/18/2011 (Publication Date) - Primal Blueprint Publishing (Publisher)
THE MIDDLE EASTERN DIET
Middle Eastern diet is based on the same principles as the Mediterranean diet but with more of an emphasis on plant-based foods and a different flavor profile. With all the tasty and healthy spices, you’ll never get bored of making dinner.
- Hardcover Book
- Karadsheh, Suzy (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Roden, Claudia (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- Anderson, Michelle (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 174 Pages - 05/19/2020 (Publication Date) - Callisto (Publisher)
THE FLEXITARIAN DIET
If you prefer more of a moderate approach, the Flexitarian diet is the clear winner. The “flexible vegetarian” mindset allows you a healthy balance of plant-based foods, responsibly sourced meats, and quality fats.
- Blatner, Dawn Jackson (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 304 Pages - 05/31/2010 (Publication Date) - McGraw Hill (Publisher)
- Hardcover Book
- Pollan, Tracy (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- Carr, Jerry (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 139 Pages - 08/22/2024 (Publication Date) - Independently published (Publisher)
INTERMITTENT FASTING
There is no specific food plan here. This is more about restricting the hours that you eat each day. The most popular plan is the 16:8. This where eat only during an 8 hours period and the other 16 hours you will fast.
Don’t think you can fast for 16 hours? Start with fewer hours of fasting and work your way. Just keep it simple…stop eating several hours before you go to bed.
- Gillaspy, Becky (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 224 Pages - 12/22/2020 (Publication Date) - DK (Publisher)
- ERIN, GINA .P. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 152 Pages - 03/13/2025 (Publication Date) - Independently published (Publisher)
- Poirier, Nicole (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 192 Pages - 10/06/2020 (Publication Date) - Fair Winds Press (Publisher)
INTUITIVE EATING
Intuitive eating is a philosophy of eating that makes you the expert of your body and its hunger signals. Essentially, it’s the opposite of a traditional diet.
It doesn’t impose guidelines about what to avoid and what or when to eat. Instead, it teaches that you are the best person — the only person — to make those choices.
It is up to you to get to know the difference between physical hunger and emotional hunger and be able to satisfy either as needed.
- Evelyn Tribole, MS, RDN (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 400 Pages - 06/23/2020 (Publication Date) - St. Martin's Essentials (Publisher)
- Tribole MS RDN, Evelyn (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 304 Pages - 01/02/2025 (Publication Date) - New Harbinger Publications (Publisher)
- Nurture the ten Principles of Intuitive Eating with 52 Weekly Intentions| Connect with your body in the here and now with Grounding practices| Cultivate gratitude for different aspects of nourishment with Meal Meditations| Identify self-trust disruptors and awaken inner knowingness| Strengthen your mental emotional and physical health by setting boundaries| Reflect on emotions and cravings| Practice self-compassion body appreciation and self-care|Anti-dieters|Fans of Intuitive Eating and The Intuitive Eating Workbook |Anyone looking for daily guidance on a happier and healthier way to eat|Wellness enthusiasts looking for healthy habits|Nutritionists and other health professionals|Mindfulness and meditation practitioners|Certified eating disorder specialists and anyone in eating disorder (ED) recovery
- Tribole, Evelyn (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
Final Thoughts
While weight loss has a lot to do with what is going on in your head, that doesn’t mean you can continue to eat the way you always have. You will have to change how you eat and these are 10 of the most popular plans for helping you lose weight and keep it off.