Easy diet plans to lose weight

The Fiber 35 Diet, coauthored by Brenda Watson (Free Press), is strict, but if followed correctly, it can help you shed 8 pounds in the first month, and then 1 pound each subsequent week. During phase one, slash a whopping 1, 000 calories from your typical daily intake for one month (just don't dip below 1, 200). From then on trim just 500 daily calories until you reach your goal weight. The key is to eat a total of 35 grams of fiber daily. "Fiber is a natural appetite suppressant, " says Watson, a certified nutrition consultant in Dunedin, Florida. In other words, you'll eat less but feel fuller.

What's on the menu: Chow down on 2 to 3 servings of lean protein, like chicken or fish, daily, as well as 6 to 8 servings of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, like apples, broccoli, beans and oats, to meet the fiber requirement.

Potential pitfall: Any sudden boost in dietary fiber can lead to bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation and other tummy troubles, says Roberta Anding, R.D., a dietitian in Houston, Texas, and a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. So protect yourself by gradually increasing your fiber intake and drinking lots of water-half of your body weight in ounces, to be exact. If you weigh 144 pounds, that's 72 ounces (nine glasses). Can't live without milk, cheese and yogurt? Look elsewhere; this plan is low in dairy.

Dig in: If you're prone to bingeing on empty carbs like potato chips and cookies, this diet will teach you how to tame hunger pangs with nutrient-dense foods.