Here are the most searched diets on Yahoo! in November, 2006.

Nutrisystem

A prepackaged meal plan consisting of low-glycemic carbohydrates, protein and fiber arrives at a client’s door daily. Clients eat five times per day, a combination of Nutrisystem food, along with fruits and vegetables.

Example Of Food To Consume: Nutrisystem-style apple-cinnamon oatmeal, cream of broccoli soup, beef tacos, whipped sweet potatoes with cheese

For More Information, Visit: www.nutrisystem.com

Nutrisystem (nasdaq: NTRI – news – people ), a company that delivers prepackaged low-glycemic meals to clients

Macrobiotic Diet

The macrobiotic diet is a low-fat, high-fiber diet. Many people choose it because it emphasizes physical and spiritual well-being. It is predominantly a vegetarian diet, consisting mainly of whole grains and vegetables according to the season.

Example Of Food To Consume: brown rice; soy-bean products; local fruits and vegetables; beans, seeds and nuts in moderation; fish in moderation

For More Information, Visit: www.macrobiotics.co.uk

The South Beach Diet

The South Beach Diet is a three-phase plan that starts with eating fewer carbohydrates, except for essential vegetables, while consuming lean protein. After about two weeks, dieters add in more complex carbohydrates including bread and chocolate. The basis of the diet is to teach which foods are nutrient dense and what are healthy portion sizes.

Example Of Foods To Consume: Phase 1: vegetables, eggs, cheese, nuts, beef, fish; Phase 2: reintroduce bread, cereal and potatoes

For More Information, Visit: www.southbeachdiet.com

The South Beach Diet also continues to grow in popularity. Since being released in April 2003, the book spent 37 weeks at No. 1 on The New York Times best-seller list and currently holds the No. 3 spot. The author of the book, Dr. Arthur Agatston, believes its success is due to the diet’s basic principles: Eat good fats, nutrients and protein, and exercise. A theme that he says will continue to grow throughout the next few years because it is simple and flexible. “What we’re starting to see for the future of diets is coming from more understanding of functional foods and nutrient value. Americans in the last 30 years have been walking around hungry all the time because they’re eating white bread, potatoes and sugar. If you’re eating nutritiously, the calories pretty much take care of themselves.”

The Zone

The Zone Diet consists of a balanced ratio of carbohydrates (40%), fat (30%) and proteins (30%) to achieve hormonal balance. The concept is to control your body’s insulin production.

Example Of Foods To Consume: no foods are forbidden

For More Information, Visit: www.zonediet.com

Jenny Craig

A personal consultant helps build a diet that works for each individual’s weight-loss needs and also serves as a motivator to stick with the plan. Clients can choose already-created menus or create their own menu that consists of Jenny Craig-brand food, along with fruits and vegetables.

Example Of Food To Consume: cereal with skim milk, Jenny Craig-style chicken fettuccine, fruit, vegetables, Jenny Craig-style Pumpkin soup

For More Information, Visit: www.jennycraig.com

Organic

Organic food and other items are free of pesticides, preservatives, sweeteners and cruelty. The diet emphasizes consumption of whole grains, fruits and vegetables, without eating anything processed, containing trans-fats or artificial flavorings and sweeteners. It’s becoming so popular that many restaurants and gyms, such as Clay Fitness in New York City, offer organic food choices for their clients.

Example Of Food To Consume: pesticide-free fruits and vegetables; whole grains; free-range eggs, chicken and beef; hormone-free milk

For More Information, Visit: www.organic.org

Organic lifestyle and eating has also taken its place among popular diets. Companies such as the Austin, Tex.-based Whole Foods (nasdaq: WFMI – news – people ) are exploding with stores in every city. They guarantee consumers food and other items that are free of pesticides, preservatives, sweeteners and animal cruelty–the basis of an organic lifestyle. In 2005, Whole Foods saw a one-year sales growth of 21.6%, with revenue leaping to $4.7 billion from $3.8 billion in 2004.

Few nutritionists would dispute that an organic diet is beneficial to health–not only is it more nutrient-dense, but also it is free of chemicals and additives–but there is one problem. Although many people consider organic to be synonymous with guilt-free, it doesn’t mean organic food won’t cause weight gain. It’s a common misconception that food allowed in any diet can be eaten in abundance, when on the contrary, eating too much of anything, organic or not, is a surefire way to get fat.

“There are as many ways to cut down on calories as there are foods out there,” says Marlene Schwartz, the associate director of the Yale Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity. “My advice is to use nutritional common sense–maximize fruits and vegetables, limit the amount of processed foods and keep portion sizes reasonable.”

Glycemic Index

A diet that is often chosen by diabetics, the Glycemic Index, or GI Diet, ranks carbohydrates according to their effect on blood glucose levels. It promotes consumption of low GI carbohydrates because they keep blood glucose and insulin levels steady, rather than fluctuating throughout the day.

Example Of Food To Consume: certain fruits and vegetables; whole grains such as oats, barley, and bran; basmati rice; some pasta; quinoa; chick peas; plain yogurt; and skim milk

For More Information, Visit: www.glycemicindex.com

Weight Watchers has expanded to consist of group sessions, personal consultants and online support. There are two plans to choose from: a Flex plan that lets a client eat the foods they want, but control the amount with a point system; or a Core plan that doesn’t tally points, but consists of only nutritious food.

Example Of Foods To Consume: Depends on which plan is chosen

For More Information, Visit: www.weightwatchers.com

Weight Watchers (nyse: WTW – news – people ), the weight-loss giant that racked up more than $1.1 billion in sales last year.

The Sonoma Diet is a combination of Asian, Latin American and Mediterranean cuisine. The name comes from its development of the cuisine of the Sonoma wine country. The diet is designed by author Dr. Connie Guttersen, R.D., Ph.D. She was a weight-loss counselor and nutrition researcher for  years, and is on the faculty of the renowned Culinary Institute of America at Greystone. Her goal was to develop a cutting-edge program that respects and improves the Mediterranean way of eating.

The diet has three different phases:
Phase One lasts 10 days and triggers the most rapid weight loss. The phase is designed to help eliminate cravings for unhealthy foods.

Phase Two introduces a broader range of foods.

Phase Three begins on the day the target weight is achieved.

The diet also recommends ten “power” foods:  almonds, bell peppers, blueberries, broccoli, grapes, olive oil, spinach, strawberries, tomatoes and whole grains.

Other recommended foods include lean protein, feta cheese, and wine.

Links:
The Sonoma Diet (official site)