What diet will work for you?

You want to eat food you like. You want it to make you happy, or skinny or fit.

But when you go to the bookstore looking for guidance on the shelves, the choices are more overwhelming than the cholesterol report you just got back from your doctor.

And with a cycle of new diet books weighing in all the time, how do you know what’s healthy or what will even work for you?

“At the end of the day, you want to learn something, and you want to be able to take it with you for the long haul,” says Stephanie DiBacco, an assistant professor in the department of nutrition science at The Sage Colleges and an Albany, N.Y. -based registered dietitian. “Sometimes you relate to whoever’s on the cover, skinny girl or a fitness trainer, because you think that that’s your ideal goal or picture of health. You have to look beyond the cover and say, `Is this something that I would do every day or take parts of it every day?’ so that you’ve actually gained something from reading it.”

DiBacco says it’s important to look into the author’s credentials, and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly the American Dietetic Association) has reviews of diet books on its website (http://www.eatright.org).

She also says there are a couple of red flags to consider when you’re flipping through the pages of the latest release. If a book is promising results within a set period of time — seven days, even 30 days — it’s not taking into account that cookie-cutter plans don’t work. People have different health concerns and varying circumstances.

And a plan that fits a person’s lifestyle is key to success, DiBacco says.

“You want to look and see if those recipes are things you like and are able to make,” DiBacco says. “As a general rule, most people don’t eat alone three meals a day, so it’s nice to be able to say, `If I made this for my partner, my friends, my family, everybody should enjoy it.’ ”

If the diet book doesn’t measure up, head to another aisle.

“I actually think cookbooks are better than diet books, because they just give you enough variety, and they do it in portions, and you get to pick what you like,” DiBacco says. “There’s no prescriptive about it.”

If you’re not interested in heading to the cookbook section, here’s the skinny on four hot new diet books.

“Choose to Lose: The 7-Day Carb Cycle Solution”

Who did it?: Chris Powell, who serves as the fitness trainer on ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition”

What’s the deal?: Encourages you to not only eat carbohydrates but use them to increase weekly weight loss. Based on the idea of switching between high-carb and low-carb days to create a fat-burning, metabolism-boosting cycle.

What’s the goal?: Losing weight. The book considers the body’s metabolism a furnace that needs to be stoked, and includes four rules for keeping that furnace burning: eat more often, eat carbohydrates, build muscle, move your muscles.

What’s in the book?: A BMI chart, an exercise program with step-by-step photographs, suggestions for easy foods on the go, a master grocery list, and trainer-type motivational words.

Is it for me?: If you want to work your glutes off and really like spaghetti — yes.

“The DASH Diet Action Plan”

Who did it?: Marla Heller, registered dietitian with a master’s in nutrition.

What’s the deal?: DASH stands for “Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension,” which came out of research funded by the National Institutes of Health. The diet encourages people to eat all the things they’ve already been told they should: Lots of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat and nonfat dairy products, lean meats, fish, beans and nuts.

What’s the goal?: Lower blood pressure, reduced risk of heart disease, stroke and some cancers and getting to and maintaining a healthy weight.

What’s in the book?: The book offers 28 days of meal plans, recipes and shopping tips.

Is it for me?: If you’re looking for a true, reasonable lifestyle change, this is gold (And it’s endorsed by the American Heart Association).

“The Happiness Diet”

Who did it?: Tyler Graham and Drew Ramsey. Graham is a journalist specializing in health topics. Ramsey is an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Columbia University.

What’s the deal?: The authors say that MAD — the Modern American Diet — is making us unhappy because it deprives the brain of important nutrients such as magnesium, vitamin B12, iron and vitamin D.

What’s the goal?: Eating more foods that make you happy. Truly happy, not Big Mac happy.

What’s in the book?: One hundred reasons to avoid processed foods, a guide on how to select, prepare and store produce, explanations on how certain nutrients are good for your brain and recipes for healthy meals.

Is it for me?: If you’re tired of sulking in a bag of potato chips, give it a try. It can’t make you feel any more blue, right? And a little magnesium doesn’t hurt.

“Skinny Chicks Eat Real Food”

Who did it?: Christine Avanti, a clinical and sports nutritionist, nutrition director and executive chef at Passages rehabilitation center in Malibu.

What’s the deal?: The book encourages ditching snack packs and low-calorie frozen entrees for whole foods and dinners foodies would appreciate. And it lets you have cheese, pasta and butter. Encourages readers to take a look at how much processed food they consume by keeping a “photo food journal,” and snapping pictures of what they’re about to eat.

What’s the goal?: Kicking processed foods out of your diet and staying fit while eating well.

What’s in the book?: Explanations of food labeling and daily suggested meal plans and recipes (with photos).

Is it for me?: If you are a want-to-be skinny chick who has time to make petite asparagus frittatas, give it a go. The recipes sound good, and it could be a match for dieters who like to cook.

Diet and Weight loss with Bill & Sheila
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