EVERY YEAR, NEW DIET BOOKS are introduced. But how do you choose the one that will help you achieve your weight-loss goals? Though there’s no harm in reading the latest diet books, your main goal should be to keep yourself well-informed and not be a follower of fad diets.

Analyze your goals

What do you want to achieve in the next three or six months or one year? Do you just need a quick, but temporary weight-loss program or are you ready to change your lifestyle? Is eating really your problem or do you just lack physical activities? Are your goals influenced by others?

Through the years, I have identified several types of people when it comes to weight loss: those who would never deprive themselves of their favorite foods, those who will try all the diets available, those who can follow a suitable eating plan for them, and those who can control their eating while engaging in physical activities.

No diet

Choose books which will educate you on the calorie equivalent of foods and present better food options.

A good book which will make you aware of calories, portions and food alternatives is “Eat This Not That” 2010 edition by David Zinczenco.

Healthy recipes

Choose books with healthy and flavorful recipes that will suit your taste and budget. Also look for books that promote a balanced diet like “The Flat Belly Diet” for men (2010), by Liz Vaccariello, which gives Mediterranean diet recipes, and “Your Inner Skinny” by Joy Bauer.

Cognitive-behavioral weight loss

Choose books which contain psychological strategies such as incorporating behavioral and cognitive approaches to eating and exercise. These books are highly recommended even by medical professionals and weight-loss experts since they focus on long-term weight management and not just about following eating plans and exercise programs.

These books are suitable for yo-yo dieters and those who have problems like stress-eating and emotional-eating. “Eat What You Love and Love What You Eat,” by Michelle May, teaches one to become a mindful eater, and treat everything in balance, variety and moderation.

Healthy lifestyle

Choose books which combine eating and exercise programs. If you’ve been leading a sedentary lifestyle, don’t choose books which require you to execute difficult exercises since it might just discourage you from completing the required tasks.

Look for books that would encourage you to start from the easiest activities like walking, body weight exercises and simple flexibility routines. “The New Me Diet” by Jade Teta and Keoni Teta focuses on physical activities that speed up your metabolism plus easy-to-follow eating plans.