Nutrisystem is a traditional weight loss program that features premade meals, shakes and snacks delivered to your home. The program focuses more on providing meals for you rather than strategies to maintain weight loss. It provides breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert.

In addition to your prepackaged meals, you'll still have to buy kitchen staples and some other items. Optavia is a weight loss program that relies on shakes, bars and other Optavia-branded packaged foods, called "essential fuelings," to produce results. These fuelings include cookies, puddings, bars, cereals and soups that are shipped directly to your door.

In addition to the fuelings, Optavia provides recipes for "lean-and-green meals" that you're responsible for cooking with fresh ingredients. There isn't a diet that will work for everyone. Consider these factors and choose a diet that will work best for you. Diets are often most successful when they offer a wide variety of foods and we feel less restricted.

The word "diet" has such negative connotations because of the way it's thrown around regarding weight loss. But diets don't have to suck. Try to find an eating pattern that is enjoyable and interesting enough to stick to.

Even the most popular diet won't help with weight loss or weight management if you're miserable. What do you really want to gain from weight loss? What really motivates you. No matter what plan or diet you are following, unless you are motivated, it's going to be very difficult to follow.

If you are motivated by coaches or a community, look for programs that offer one-on-one counseling or accountability. Diets can be expensive. Find a program that fits your budget. I considered each weight loss program's price, support, exercise advice, nutritional value, overall wellness and convenience.

Before creating this list, I tested each program's website, app or supportive content. I also tapped experts to determine what makes a weight loss program successful and factors to absolutely avoid.

I dove deep into WeightWatchers and Noom and had the opportunity to taste-test Nutrisystem , Optavia and Jenny Craig which is no longer available.

Working one-on-one with someone who knows your lifestyle, medical history, and eating habits is an ideal way to lose weight. We consulted experts to help make sense of a successful diet and weight loss journey. How do you find the right program for you?

Here's what they had to say. The best diet program for you will be the one that meets you where you are at in life.

It must be "realistic, sustainable and flexible," said Jamie Nadeau , a registered dietitian. Dietitian Amelia Ti takes a different approach to the question. Ti added, "A successful diet program should improve one's relationship with food and their body, not worsen it. It is easy to fall for a weight loss program's empty promises.

Our two experts told us how to spot the red flags from miles away. Nadeau said to watch out for "any program that requires you to buy their specific products or foods to be successful.

If you have to buy their bars, shakes or prepacked foods -- run. The minute you don't have their food to rely on, any weight that you lost is going to return. In addition to the food a program may tell you to eat, watch out for programs that are too restrictive.

Ti said, "If a diet program instructs you to cut out various foods or food groups, red flag! A few others include if they label foods as 'good' or 'bad' and promise immediate results. Dieting programs are not for everyone -- especially those at risk of developing eating disorders.

Nadeau recommends working with a registered dietitian over a diet or weight loss program. She said, "Working with a registered dietitian means you'll be getting individualized advice from a credentialed professional with experience working with people just like you.

The best weight loss program is the one that meets your needs, goals and lifestyle. Not every program is one-size-fits-all. In fact, if you are looking for a personalized nutrition program that lasts, you may be better off seeking a dietitian.

According to US News and World Report , the best diet of is the Mediterranean diet. However, this diet isn't for everyone. The most successful weight loss program for you will be one that meets where you are in life.

A commercial weight loss program typically doesn't provide one-on-one counseling with a dietitian or nutritionist. Some programs provide prepackaged frozen or nonperishable foods, but commercial weight loss programs typically don't provide fresh food.

Weight loss programs can either be good or bad for you, depending on what you are looking to get out of it. If you want a quick-fix or quick weight loss, programs might not be right for you. It can trigger disordered eating and not instill healthy eating habits. You could even gain the weight back once you stop your program.

If you're looking for a weight loss program to educate you, push you to exercise and help you in the long run, then a program could be beneficial.

Short answer: You don't. Losing 1 to 2 pounds per week or up to 8 pounds per month is generally the most that is considered safe.

Otherwise, you risk nutritional deficiencies, muscle loss and other health issues over time. Wellness Nutrition. Best Weight Loss Programs for Looking for the best weight loss program for you?

Written by Caroline Igo. Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement.

Caroline Igo Editor. She received her bachelor's degree in creative writing from Miami University and continues to further her craft in her free time. Before joining CNET, Caroline wrote for past CNN anchor, Daryn Kagan. Hepburn Award for Best Nonfiction Essay Miami University, See full bio.

Why You Can Trust CNET. See at WeightWatchers. Best overall weight loss program. See at Noom. Including plenty of fiber in the diet can increase the feeling of fullness, potentially leading to weight loss.

One emerging area of research is focusing on the role of bacteria in the gut on weight management. The human gut hosts a vast number and variety of microorganisms, including around 39 trillion bacteria.

Every individual has different types and amounts of bacteria in their gut. Some types may increase the amount of energy the person extracts from food , leading to fat deposition and weight gain. Numerous studies have shown that getting fewer than 5—6 hours of sleep per night is associated with an increased incidence of obesity.

There are several reasons behind this. Research suggests that insufficient or poor-quality sleep slows down the process in which the body converts calories to energy, called metabolism. When metabolism is less effective, the body may store unused energy as fat.

In addition, poor sleep can promote insulin resistance and increase levels of cortisol, which also promote fat storage. How long someone sleeps also affects the regulation of the appetite-controlling hormones leptin and ghrelin.

Leptin sends signals of fullness to the brain. However, when people are under constant stress, cortisol can remain in the bloodstream for longer, which will increase their appetite and potentially lead to them eating more.

Insulin then transports the sugar from carbohydrates from the blood to the muscles and brain. If the individual does not use this sugar in fight or flight, the body will store it as fat. If an individual does not immediately use this sugar, the body will either store it is glycogen, the storage form of glucose, or fat.

Researchers found that implementing an 8-week stress-management intervention program alongside a low-calorie diet resulted in a significant reduction in the body mass index BMI of children and adolescents who were overweight or have obesity. Losing 10 pounds in 3 days is an unrealistic goal for most people and could entail unsafe dieting behaviors.

Rapid weight loss like this may also make it more likely that someone will put weight back on, rather than losing the weight permanently. To lose 20 pounds in a month, people must burn more calories than they take in, either through dietary changes or increased physical activity.

However, rapid weight loss like this may not be a viable long-term option and could increase the risk of health complications, such as gallstones. Losing weight too quickly may also increase the risk of certain health complications, such as gallstones, or complications associated with unhealthy dieting behaviors, such as dehydration or nutritional deficiencies.

People who experience rapid weight loss may be more likely to put weight back on in the future. The CDC recommends that people aim for steady, gradual weight loss of around 1—2 pounds per week. This should include 10 portions of fruit and vegetables, good quality protein, and whole grains.

It is also beneficial to exercise for at least 30 minutes every day. Losing weight effectively and avoiding weight regain involves a number of factors. Learn how to lose weight here. Fad diets and rapid weight loss can be unsafe and often lead to people regaining the weight later on.

In this article, learn how to lose weight safely…. People often want to lose weight quickly, but there is a risk of malnourishment, or of giving up and putting on more weight than before.

What are the best exercises for weight loss? Find out the best types of exercise for weight loss, according to research, and get other useful tips. Losing 10 pounds safely is possible in 5—10 weeks or more. Creating a calorie deficit, eating a nutritious diet, and moving more are important factors.

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Medical News Today. Health Conditions Health Products Discover Tools Connect. How to naturally lose weight fast. Medically reviewed by Amy Richter, RD , Nutrition — By Tracey Williams Strudwick — Updated on November 8, Intermittent fasting Tracking diet and exercise Mindful eating Protein with meals Avoid sugar Fiber Gut bacteria balance Sleep Managing stress FAQ Takeaway Many diets, supplements, and meal replacement plans claim to ensure rapid weight loss, but lack any scientific evidence.

Science-backed ways to lose weight. Trying intermittent fasting. Tracking your diet and exercise. Eating mindfully. Eating protein with meals. Cutting back on sugar and refined carbohydrates. Eating plenty of fiber. Balancing gut bacteria.