There is no such thing as a "best diet" or a "miracle diet", a universal diet plan that works for everybody. Diet programs should be adapted to personal needs, while taking into account specific, individual parameters.

People with weight problems should begin by analysing their condition. Only after that should they decide on a weight loss objective. To set realistic goals, the dieter-to-be should be aware of some facts about losing weight and weight loss diets.

• Weight-loss and maintenance of the body weight within normal limits are essential for your general state of health.
• Learn to analyse the parameters of your body. Try to keep them under control.
• Do not overlook health-linked nutritional aspects in the process of losing weight.
• It is important to prepare yourself mentally for healthy weight-loss. This involves:
  • Not expecting spectacular results in a very short period of time. Normally they do not happen. If they do it will not be on a long-term basis. Patience, at least at meal-times, should become one of your basic virtues.
  • As we are talking about long-term diets, it is important that you find a diet version that is palatable. You must not feel frustrated about eating diet food.
  • A good motivator will help. A diet journal may help you through, and even better, a fellow dieter to share your experience with will make a great difference.
  • Always accompany a diet with regular exercise, which will not only help you to lose weight. It will increase your mental harmony, crucial for maintaining the willpower to achieve your objectives.

The best diet is one that you can keep, one adapted to your personal needs. To design your own diet, you need to inform yourself on all possible aspects of nutrition and weight loss. To establish your condition, you need to analyse your body weight and your current diet. In rough terms, anybody can tell if they need to get rid of some weight. It is important, however, to quantify the data so that you can keep it under control, and use tools such as the calorie count.

Up to now, the research of most dietitians and the great majority of weight loss diets has converged on a common point: calorie intake should be less than your body can burn.

Resist the temptation of trying (at your own risk) too many crash diets appearing overnight, and promising spectacular results. Most are created only for commercial reasons, exploiting our "inner child"'s desire to believe that fairy-tales come true. And this is why we cannot rely on these weight-loss diets.

• Most fad diets have no scientific basis. Even if some have, there is still inadequate research. That is why they do not last too long, and prove to have major shortcomings at some point.
• The advantage of losing weight rapidly is often based on water loss. Therefore weight is put back on very quickly.
• Crash diets are based on a one-sided way of eating which bans some foods and thus creates unhealthy imbalances.
• Most crash diets create the idea that it is enough to diet.They overlook the importance of exercise.

However, if the temptation is too strong, and you have an urge to lose weight rapidly, you may, as long as this happens accidentally. This approach to dieting must not become a habit. Nor must the diet be prolonged over a long period of time, as this can have disastrous results on health. It will create imbalances and deprive the body of essential nutrients.

Important note: Crash diets may well be an option for people in a state of good health. Even for them, these diets should be a final resort. Their health will not be at risk if strict time boundaries are laid down. These might be one or a maximum of two weeks, while for people suffering from some illness, with special dietary needs, these diets are not an option.