I agree with Colleen that the best program for a beginner is BFL.
Why?
-Its food list is simple and easy to use. You can expand on it a bit using common sense, but there are enough choices to keep most people happy.
-Six small meals measuring only with your palm and fist works for anyone. No tracking, no weighing, etc.
-Free Day! Sticking to healthy eating 6 days a week as long as you know you have a free day to indulge your cravings is workable for people...almost nobody can jump right into a strict 24/7 program and succeed.
That said....I doubt that anyone here will tell you that there is *one* perfect program. Everyone is different and nothing works for everyone. We can tell you the pros and cons of programs but until you do the program yourself you really won't know how it will work for you.
Example: BodyRX is more food than most people think they *should* eat, but tiny little me had fantastic results with it. Other people cannot stand the measuring that goes along with it, not to mention 6 weeks of really HIGH fiber.
BFL will help you figure out what *does* work, and sticking to it for 12 weeks will help tremendously should you ever decide on a more regimented program.
Laura