types of weight loss products available on the market today.

Not too long ago the popular appetite suppressants were things like Dexatrim or Acutrim -- in either maximum strength for the "really'' hungry or a.m. or p.m. for the morning and afternoon/evening snackers.

But now there are a multitude of choices for the overweight person to indulge in, most of which have some sort of side effects.

In the US there are hundreds of weight loss clinics offering cocktails of different pills and meal replacements promising instant gratification.

And in Bermuda the number of weight loss places are also on the rise.

Dietitians and nutritionists are also stepping up, offering suggestions for the "right way'' to lose weight by cutting down on fat and increasing exercise.

At the Diet Centre weight management consultant Karen Magnum offers a weight loss programme that has four phases -- conditioning, reducing, stabilisation and maintenance.

The first part is to lose weight and the second part is maintaining the weight loss. "That is the most important part of the programme so the person can maintain the weight loss for life,'' Mrs. Magnum said.

She added: "Our clients get weighed-in five days a week and I go over all the food they have eaten. They keep a food journal and they also record their exercise.

"I also measure the inches that come off every month and I do a body fat test every month to make sure people are losing fat not just weight.

"All the foods that the clients should eat are available in grocery stores.

It is a healthy programme based on balance foods and basically the most important thing is that the foods are weighed so they are getting the right portions.'' Mrs. Magnum also said there was a multi-mineral vitamin that clients should take.

"When we do the body fat test the computer prints out a menu of different foods the client needs such as protein, starch, vegetables etc. and the menu also depends on the person's activities.

"Everyone that comes in the programme and follows it is successful, they also receive one on one counselling.'' She added: "The maintenance part is up to the individual, they have to keep eating healthy and keep up with the exercise. It is a way of life.

The diet centre is about changing your eating habits for life because when you go back to the foods you used to eat you just put the weight back on.'' Kathy's Kaffee offers the Herbalife programme -- a chance to "shed pounds and stubborn inches while providing the highest quality nutrition available''.

"Unfortunately many people who try to lose weight are highly susceptible to nutrition deficiencies. Now it's easier than ever to achieve your fitness goals and improve your health with Herbalife's Thermojetics weight Management Programme, formulated for convenience,'' as stated in Herbalife products information.

The product consists of various herbal tablets, shakes, and an energising tea which helps when exercising.

Registered dietitian Janet Burull, who works in private practice at Nutrition Consultant Services said: "Many people are looking for a quick and easy way to lose weight. They find it hard to believe in this age of scientific innovations and medical miracles that an effortless weight loss method doesn't exist.

"So they succumb to quick fix claims and invest in a variety of pills, potions, gadgets, and programmes that hold the promise of a slimmer, happier future.

"Some appetite suppressant pills act as stimulants and often cause side effects like heart palpitations. We advise individuals to read the fine print on these packages.'' Mrs. Burull also said many of the herbal based diet potions work more like laxatives and can cause stomach and intestinal upsets. "Fibre based diet preparations claim to work by absorbing liquid and swelling in the stomach, thereby reducing hunger.

"The fact is that when it comes to effective weight loss, any claims that say you can lose weight effortlessly are false. Most nutrition experts agree that a combination of reducing the number of calories you eat along with an increase in activity through exercise is the best way to lose weight, and at a rate of one to two pounds per week.'' She added that if you are losing more than ten pounds over a period of a month it is likely you are losing more than just body fat.

"Very low calorie diets are not without risk and should be pursued only under medical supervision with your doctor.

"Losing weight may not be effortless, but it doesn't have to be complicated.

That's why professional help is often sought. In my experience as a registered dietitian I have found that once a person understands all the good foods he can eat, he is rarely going to have a problem with hunger.

"If hunger does occur he learns how to identify it and treat it appropriately.'' How do you choose the right eating plan for successful weight loss? Mrs.

Burull suggested asking the following questions before choosing a programme: 1. Does the eating plan offer plenty of variety every day? The best eating plans are the ones that are flexible, not boring and rigid in their approach. No one likes to eat the same few foods day after day to lose weight. Look for a wide variety of foods and beverages. More people quit their diets due to boredom than for any other reason.

2. Is the eating plan nutritiously balanced? Any diet that does not include a variety of foods from five food groups every day is short changing you on vital nutrients that your body needs for health and energy.

Diets lacking in nutrients leave you feeling hungry and tired most of the time. Check the diet plan against the following list of minimum daily food choices: Dairy products - 2 servings per day Fruits - 2 servings per day Grain products and starches - 4 servings per day vegetables - 3 servings per day Are all five food groups in your plan? If one or more groups are totally missing or very restricted you may be risking serious health problems. Keep looking for a more nutritious weight loss plan.

3. Does the plan use real foods and beverages rather than expensive milkshakes, powders, or tablets? Most people who are overweight need to learn new eating habits. Special "milkshakes'' and other meal replacements won't help you to deal with the habits that caused the weight problem. Once you quit using the milkshakes, the pounds you lost quickly come back.

Other questions you should ask yourself are: Are the foods for this diet readily available and affordable? Can my entire family enjoy the meals allowed on this plan? Can I follow this plan while dining out, at parties and other social events? And can I stick to this basic pattern of eating for the rest of my life? This is the most crucial question about any weight-loss plan. weight control is a life-long process, not just a temporary effort for a weeks. The key to successful weight loss is building a new and improved set of permanent eating habits.

Mrs. Burull added that no weight control programme was complete unless it included regular physical activity.

"There's more to weight control than every bite you take. Every move that you make is equally important. If your chosen weight loss plan doesn't include regular exercise, keep on looking until you find one that does.

"People who starve themselves to lose weight gain all of the weight back in a very short time.'' (See recipes, Page 28) IF IT ONLY TOOK A PILL . . . Every overweight person would be taking it. These are only a few of the "weight loss'' products on the market.