Better Homes and Garden Diet

On the Better Homes and Garden diet, you'll count calories and calculate your proper caloric intake, while using the extensive recipes and other resources of the magazine.

What it is: This diet, based on calorie counting, was created by Better Homes and Gardens and utilizes the magazine's collection of recipes, daily programs, exercise tips and more.

How it works: As a member on the website, you will use specific calculations to determine your proper caloric intake and portions from each of the food groups, according to the old USDA food guide.

What you do: You create daily menus and shopping lists at the Better Homes and Garden website based on your calculations. You keep track of your weight and count calories as you go. The website also features many exercise tips to keep you active during the diet.

Benefits: Membership is free on the website and you have many opportunities to cook. Practicing this diet starts to give you a good idea of how different foods related to calories and how many calories you should be getting each day.

Downside: If you don't enjoy math, all these daily calculations might be overly laborious. The USDA has also updated its food guide since the creation of this diet.