Weight loss, to feel healthier, to prepare for a specific event, or just as a boost in the fitness journey, is on most people's bucket list. Rapid weight loss does need to be approached with care because of potential health risks. In that case, five of the well-researched diets from U.S. News & World Report on Best Diets can be of help in losing pounds efficiently in 2025.
Even when aiming for rapid results, balance and nutrition are key. Structure your meals as follows:
Rapid weight loss may be beneficial to people who face health issues, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol. In this regard, when their BMI is greater than 30, the very low-calorie diet may be recommended by physicians. These VLCDs may help in controlling risks and facilitating a healthier weight, which further minimizes the chances of suffering from severe conditions, including postmenopausal breast cancer and colon cancer.
For others, rapid weight loss may serve as a motivational impetus but should be balanced with efficacy and sustainability. A healthcare provider should be consulted before beginning any weight loss program.
The Jenny Craig Diet is a highly structured meal program that provides clients with prepackaged, portion-controlled foods to manage calorie intake while teaching them healthy eating habits. This also includes the practice of intermittent fasting for better effects.
One thing that differentiates Jenny Craig is one-on-one coaching. Members receive individualized advice on the timing of meals, portion control, and balanced eating, leading to sustainable weight loss. The average weight loss for participants is 1–2 pounds per week, which makes it a very practical approach for people seeking steady, fast results.
The ketogenic diet, or keto, emphasizes high-fat and low-carb foods to induce ketosis, a state where the body burns fat for energy. This approach leads to significant weight loss, especially in the initial stages.
Beyond weight loss, keto is also said to improve mental acuity, energy, and stabilization of blood sugar. However, the diet's strictness comes at a great cost. Fattening avocado, fatty fish, nuts, and lean proteins are the stars, while carbohydrates in the form of bread, pasta, and sugar are banished.
For individuals who want a convenient, time-saving diet, SlimFast offers effective meal replacement solutions in the form of shakes, bars, and smoothies. It is great for losing up to 20 pounds, meaning participants can get to their goals in 8–10 weeks.
While convenient, it's important to balance other meals with nutrient-rich foods in order to avoid deficiencies. SlimFast is ideal for a busy person who cannot find time for meal planning but wants to lose weight rapidly.
WeightWatchers, recently branded as WW, combines the strengths of behavioral science, nutrition, and technology into a total solution for weight loss. In their point system, users get the freedom to choose from hundreds of foods.
WW is more than a weight loss program, offering programs designed for people with diabetes or those on GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic. The program is comprehensive with a strong app, recipes, and support groups, making it accessible and effective.
The Volumetrics Diet flips the conventional diet on its head, focusing on low-calorie-density foods that are high in nutrients. Think fruits, vegetables, broth-based soups, and whole grains. Participants eat filling, water-rich foods, so they consume fewer calories while still feeling satisfied.
Volumetrics isn't a restriction diet but rather a lifestyle, teaching one portion control and how to eat. It's not a diet, as most of the ingredients can be sourced at any local grocery store.
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Though effective diets, rapid weight loss comes with its challenges:
Many rapid plans will initially cause water loss, which is sure to return after the normal eating habit is resumed.
Fad diets will always create an urge to consume and hinder one's ability to stick to a diet for long periods of time.
Eliminating specific food groups entirely can lead to the omission of necessary vitamins and minerals.
These three challenges can be overcome by focusing on rapid weight loss as the stepping stone to good lifestyle changes. This should be complemented with exercise, mindful eating, and stress management to sustain progress.
Quick diets may be a great starting point, but sustainable lifestyle habits are essential for long-term success. These include regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and control of stressors. All of these can maintain a healthy weight.
In any case, all these diets focus on achieving one goal- that of general wellness. Begin small, and create a base upon which to sustain long-term outcomes.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not replace medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before starting any diet, especially if you have preexisting health conditions.
Boost Collagen With These Superfoods (Photos: Canva)
Collagen is essential for maintaining firm skin, prevent premature aging and regulates cell proliferation. While it is usually found in animal sources, many fruits and super foods acts rich sources.
Here are natural collagen rich superfoods, you can consume:
Vitamin C Rich Fruits Guava, Amla, and kiwi help stimulate collagen supporting skin repair and hydration.
Strawberries are rich in polyphenols, reducing oxidative stress, while oranges provide hydration and vitamin for rebuilding the skin. These fruits are catalysts essential for youthful and resilient skin.
Collagen is the perfect ingredient for glowing skin and it is all over the internet–coffee, Collagen is added to coffee by mixing peptides which dissolve easily in hot liquid and powders that give comparatively quicker results. Type 1 Collagen is usually considered the best for skin.
Guavas Better Than Blueberries (Photos: Canva)
Tiny but mighty, eating blueberries not only gives you a sweet taste but also can be extremely beneficial for your entire body.
Extremely rich in antioxidants called anthocyanins, they help with slowing down brain aging. Along with this, the fruit also helps regulates blood pressure and cholesterol levels, overall improving cardiovascular health.
Although they might sound beneficial, they are pricey and inaccessible to a majority of the public.
However, experts have now revealed that guava can provide the body with more benefits than blueberries at half the price.
Why Is Guava Better Than Blueberries?Guavas are living proof that appearances are deceptive. Packed with nearly five times more Vitamin C (about 228mg) and loaded with digestive fibers, this winter fruit is perfectly suited for everyday snacking.
According to Healthline, a single guava can fulfill 12 percent of your recommended daily intake of fiber. A 2025 overview by PubMed also shows that guava leaves have been researched for managing blood sugar levels.
Guavas contain soluble fibers which slow down the digestion and absorption of sugars, preventing sudden spikes in glucose levels. Previous research also shows that regular consumption can help improve insulin sensitivity and lipid profiles, benefiting metabolic health.
With significantly higher Vitamin C content than blueberries, this fruit supports collagen production and gives you brighter skin and protection against premature aging.
While cranberries support urinary tract health by preventing bacterial adhesion and reducing inflammation, strawberries are rich in Vitamin C and folate and help with blood sugar regulation which can help stabilize glucose levels.
After all the environmental damage and aging that you have caused your skin, it deserves the utmost care and protection to rebuild and glow.
While blueberries have been linked to improving skin texture, goji berries are far rich in flavonoids that can neutralize free radicals, boost collagen and protect against UV damage.
Blackberries and raspberries are excellent sources that reduce oxidative stress and inflammation.
Experts recommend incorporating a mix of these fruits in your diet to help repair your DNA, reduce inflammation and prevent chronic conditions.
Credits: Canva
If you drink 14 drinks per week, the American Cancer Society's peer-reviewed journal Cancer, noted that you have a 25% higher risk of developing colorectal cancer. This also means that you have a 95% higher risk of developing rectal cancer as compared to those who drink an average of one drink per week.
Moderate alcohol intake is measured as seven or less drinks per week, which is associated with a lower risk. However, experts have time and again stressed that there is no safe limit of drinking.
"While the data on former drinkers were sparse, we were encouraged to see that their risk may return to that of the light drinkers,” co–senior author Erikka Loftfield of the National Institutes of Health's National Cancer Institute said in a news release.
The findings come from an analysis of U.S. adults who took part in the National Cancer Institute’s Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial. Researchers tracked 88,092 participants over a 20 year period and identified 1,679 cases of colorectal cancer during that time.
The data showed a clear pattern. Higher lifetime alcohol consumption was linked to a higher risk of colorectal cancer, with the strongest association seen for rectal cancer. However, the study also offered encouraging news. People who stopped drinking saw their risk decline, highlighting that lifestyle changes can still make a difference later in life.
Read: Drinking Alcohol Could Damage Your DNA, Not Just Your Liver Or Heart
These findings come at a time of growing concern about colorectal cancer rates, especially among younger people. Earlier this month, the American Cancer Society reported that colorectal cancer has become the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among people under 50 in the United States.
Dr. Ahmedin Jemal, senior author of the report and senior vice president of surveillance, prevention and health services research at the American Cancer Society, said the trend is alarming. He noted that the speed at which colorectal cancer rates have risen among younger adults means it can no longer be considered a disease that only affects older people.
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Federal health guidance around alcohol has also shifted. Instead of specifying how many drinks are considered safe, the latest dietary guidelines advise Americans to drink less overall. People with certain health conditions are encouraged to avoid alcohol entirely.
Christopher Kahler, director of the Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies at Brown University, has previously explained that no amount of drinking is completely risk-free. According to him, health risks increase with higher consumption, which is why current guidelines focus on reducing intake rather than defining a safe threshold.
Taken together, the research reinforces a simple message. Heavy drinking raises cancer risk, drinking less is better for health, and stopping alcohol use can help lower the chances of developing colorectal cancer. With rates rising in younger adults, experts say awareness and prevention efforts are more important than ever.
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