It seems like every year, there’s a handful of new fad diets. But some have lasted throughout the years, whether they actually work or not. Have you tried any of these?
Atkins Diet
The Atkins diet abides by rules which focus on controlling levels of insulin through the body. It accomplishes this through a low carb diet. Consuming high amounts of refined carbs make insulin levels spike and drop quickly, which prevents the body from storying fat as a source of energy. The Atkins Diet lets you eat as much protein as you like while avoiding carbs.
The Zone
The Zone has a very specific breakdown of nutritional aspects. Its balance is composed of 40% carbohydrates, 30% protein, and 30% fat in every meal per day. The insulin method is also employed here, as it’s been proven to work, but The Zone encourages healthy, unrefined carbs and fats such as nuts, avocados, and olive or coconut oil.
Ketogenic Diet
The Ketogenic Diet or “Keto” diet has actually been used to treat epilepsy and has other fascinating uses. By increasing fat intake and decreasing carbohydrates, the body burns fat as fuel instead of carbs. This breakdown causes the breakdown of fat deposits for fuel and creates ketones through ketosis. Oily fish, coconuts and healthy oils all encouraged.
Weight Watchers diet
Almost everyone has heard of Weight watchers. Through a “SmartPoints” system, diet, exercise and a support network, users can get their dream body. Started by a homemaker in the 1960s, this diet lets users attend in person or online meetings to get much-needed support. No food is off limit depending on you stay within your assigned number of SmartPoints, and fruits and veggies aren’t subject to points.
Low Fat Diet
The low fat diet aims to dramatically reduce the level of fat consumed, since fat is very high in calories. Butter, margarine, oil, mayo, chocolate, cheese and other junk foods are totally off limits, making this diet unattainable to some. They’re all replaced with lower fat (aka less satisfying) versions and if not, are completely restricted.
Raw Food Diet
Raw foodism has experienced a surge in popularity recently, and it consists of only consuming beverages and food which are not at all processed, totally raw, totally plant based, and hopefully organic. There are raw vegetarians, raw vegan, raw omnivores and raw carnivores. We prefer our food cooked, but some people wear by this.
Mediterranean Diet
Originating from southern Europe, countries such as Greece, Italy and Crete faithfully abided by this recipe. Users can eat plenty of fresh plant foods and fresh fruit, beans, nuts, whole grains, and olive oil. Moderate fish, poultry, eggs and wine can also be consumed. Up to 1/3 of this diet consists of fat. This is one of the most studied diets ever due to its ability to lower disease and improve quality of life.
South Beach Diet
Started by cardiologist Dr. Agatston and nutritionist Marie Almon, this diet focuses on controlling insulin levels and the benefits of unrefined slow carbs versus unhealthy fast carbs. The cardiologist didn’t think low fat diets were effective long term, so he created a new alternative.
Slimming World
Slimming world lets you have two types of days. We have original days and Green days. The Green days let you eat unlimited amounts of pasta, veggies, rice and some fruits. On original days, more protein is prevalent, such as meals with lean meat, fish, fruits and veggies, also eaten freely. There are treats allowed, known as syns or synergy, which we calculated according to weight loss goals.
Paleo
Paleo is famously known as the diet that lets you eat like the cavemen did. It’s not too different from alkaline diets, but is about avoiding junk food, grains, sugar and dairy. Instead we increase nutrients and reduce glycemic load by eating meat, eggs, seafood, veggies and fruits, nuts, and tallow and lard fat, weirdly enough.
