With so many diet plans out there, and so many fad diets that flare up and then die away, how can you choose the diet that is right for you? Here are a few tips.

First and most importantly, use common sense. If a diet promises results that seem too good to be true, they probably are. Like The Weight Loss Cure “They” Don’t Want You to Know About by Kevin Trudeau, that promises losing a pound a day for six weeks (read more). Don’t be fooled by good marketing that feeds your ego and deepest desires. They know that you’re not satisfied with your appearance and are looking for an easy way to get results. Just like get-rich-quick schemes, a diet that is “quick, easy, and painless” is probably a scam. A healthy diet will probably require some work, and definitely require exercise in some form or another!

Avoid extremes. You’ve heard the expression “all things in moderation.” Steer clear of diets that go to extremes like a no carb diet. Instead, select a diet that is well-rounded, balanced diet. Just like you shouldn’t go hog wild crazy for foods with high sugar and fat content, you shouldn’t eat just carbohydrates or protein either. Eat balanced portions; that’s balanced portions, not equal portions! Consider looking in to the diabetics diet for basic portion guidelines.

Go natural. Avoid highly processed foods or food with lots of additives when you can get it in a more natural form. This ensures you’re receiving the fiber, vitamins, and minerals your body needs. Visit your local farmer’s market to get produce at its peak. Why? Because it’ll taste better and you’ll want to eat it! It hasn’t been picked green and shipped around the country. If it’s at the farmer’s market, it’s fresh, in season, and just about guaranteed to be delicious!

Drink water! Water cannot be emphasized enough. Americans generally do not consume enough water. Water is a vital element in our bodies; it carries nutrients to our cells and takes waste products and toxins away. Invest in a water bottle that you can carry around and refill throughout the day. When you eat out, drink water instead of sweetened drinks. Getting bored with plain water? Try unsweetened tea like orange zinger, peppermint, or just good old-fashioned sun tea. Or try adding lemon or lime to your water for a refreshing change.

Exercise at least 20-30 minutes every day. Think about how sedentary your life is. Sitting in the car, sitting at the office, sitting in front of the TV. That can’t be healthy! Get up! Move around! Get that blood flowing! Exercise doesn’t have to be boring. I hate getting sweaty, but I recently bought Dance, Dance Revolution Universe for the Xbox 360, and now I don’t mind “exercising” an hour at a time. It’s fun! It’s challenging! And it tells you approximately how many calories you’ve burned. Plus, the whole family can get involved. Or think up something else that is fun and captures your interest.