Dieting is almost always associated with food restriction and craving. It entails a lot of self-control, calorie-counting and hunger, so many on a diet cheat at the very least or simply give up on it altogether.

However, there are diets that have been proven to carry out their promise of weight loss. We will outline three of the more proven ones here, although there are countless others as well.

1. South Beach Diet

Originally designed by Dr. Arthur Agatston, a cardiologist, for his patients, the South Beach Diet has continued to grow in popularity. While some have labeled it as one of the many "fad" diets, its principle of consuming good fats, nutrients and protein have made it one of the more sought after and successful diets today.

The South Beach Diet is divided into three phases. The first two weeks limits your carbohydrate as well as fruit and vegetable intake to "clear your palate." This results in less cravings for junk food and sweets. If you can successfully hurdle the first phase, you're ready to move to Phase II which allows you to add back those foods that were restricted from Phase I. You can consume these foods in moderation. Phase III is the maintenance portion of the diet that's meant to be followed for life. It's the least restrictive of all the phases.

South Beach works because with the exception of Part I, it's not a severely restrictive diet for the most part and is relatively easy to follow. Moreover, the weight loss generated from adhering to this diet is reasonable and within healthy limits.

2. Glycemic Impact Diet

The rationale behind the Glycemic Impact Diet or GI Diet is that you can classify foods based on their Glycemic Index values. (The Glycemic Index is a ranking of the foods based on their effect on blood sugar levels.) Foods that have low Glycemic Index values slowly release sugar into the blood while those with high values do the opposite, causing a sudden rise in blood sugar levels. The GI Diet also takes into account Glycemic Load, or the amount of carbohydrates a certain food has.

In a GI Diet, foods with high Glycemic Index values but with low Glycemic Load are best. By limiting simple sugars and increasing fiber, a GI Diet facilitates stable blood sugar levels which aid in avoiding hunger while still giving you energy. A GI Diet Meal Plan consists of 40% calories from refined, complex carbohydrates; 30% from lean protein and 30% from healthy fats.

3. The Macrobiotic Diet

Based on the Far Eastern philosophy of the "Great Life," the Macrobiotic Diet is for those who want to follow a lifestyle more than a simple diet program for weight loss. It is a highly natural diet that does not allow processed foods or microwaving as a form of food preparation. It also entails that the food be eaten in a laid-back environment and chewed in a relaxed manner as well. Aside from the fact that it allows one to lose weight, the Macrobiotic Diet also aids in the healing of certain diseases like cancer and heart disease.

Essentially, this diet is composed of 50% whole grains, 25% vegetables in season, 10% protein, 5% sea vegetables, 5% soups and 5% fruits, nuts or seeds.