Pick the best diet plan for you

Many people will get out of bed Tuesday resolved to start eating healthier in the new year.

People who are successful at weight loss often have a plan that fits their lifestyle and that they are motivated to stick with, nutrition experts say. Some people like to diet alone; others like social support. It's best to follow something that you can stick with for a lifetime.

To help you pick a plan that works for you, USA TODAY worked with registered dietitian Judith Rodriguez to create the quiz below. Rodriguez is the author of The Diet Selector, chair of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of North Florida and a past president of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

1. Want some support when losing weight?

Consider Weight Watchers, the Jenny Craig program or a website such as sparkpeople.com, or enlist the help of a registered dietitian in private practice.

2. Need a plan with lots of advice on how to feed kids well?

Consider MyPlate for Moms, How to Feed Yourself & Your Family Better by Elizabeth Ward; The Moms' Guide to Meal Makeovers: Improving the Way Your Family Eats, One Meal at a Time! by Janice Newell Bissex and Liz Weiss, or Trim Kids by Melinda Sothern and others.

3. Enjoy fish and meat more than bread or pasta?

Consider Secrets of Good Carb/Low Carb Living by Sandra Woodruff or The South Beach Diet by Arthur Agatston.

4. Want a quick start but need some structure?

Select Joy's LIFE Diet: Four Steps to Thin Forever by Joy Bauer or The New Atkins for a New You by Eric Westman.

5. Dislike cooking or find it difficult to prepare meals?

Use commercially prepared meals until you can develop some quick cooking techniques. Consider Nutrisystem or the Jenny Craig program - or simply use some of the low-calorie dinners in the frozen-food section of your supermarket. You may want to alternate your low-calorie frozen lunches with salads with low-calorie dressings and your snacks with commercial weight-loss shakes or bars.

6. Want a program that provides occasional treats?

A plan that offers lots of flexibility might be best for you. You could consider Weight Watchers. Or you might try French Women Don't Get Fat by Mireille Guiliano or a Mediterranean diet, which is outlined in The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Mediterranean Diet by Kimberly Tessmer and Stephanie Green and at oldwayspt.org/mediterraneandiet.

7. Enjoy preparing and eating savory, filling salads, soups and stews?

Try The Ultimate Volumetrics Diet by Barbara Rolls, which is based on research related to weight loss and satiety or Comfort Food Fix: Feel-Good Favorites Made Healthy by Ellie Krieger.

8. Prefer fun kid-friendly recipes you can put together quickly?

Consider Quick Meals for Healthy Kids and Busy Parents by Sandra Nissenberg, Margaret Bogle and Audrey Wright.

You can also download the Kids Eat Right Shop-Cook-Eat Summit Cookbook created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation at eatright.org/kids/Summit-Cookbook/2012/index.html or go to the www.kidseatright.org website, which features a new article every Monday, in addition to recipes, tips, resources and videos.

9. Want some dieting tips that come with inspiration along with recipes and menus?

Look at The Joy Fit Club: Cookbook, Diet Plan & Inspiration by Joy Bauer.

Note: You can get information and evaluation of weight-loss plans on the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' website, eatright.org or get ideas for family-friendly approaches through the Let's Move initiative, letsmove.gov.

USA Today