How is everyone around losing weight?
A diet can be described as a set course of eating and drinking in which the kind and amount of food one should eat is been planned out in order to achieve weight loss or follow a certain lifestyle. There are literally hundreds of thousands of diets. Some are for losing weight, others for gaining weight, lowering cholesterol, living a long and healthy life, etc. The Mediterranean Diet, for example, reflects the culinary habits of southern European people. Below mentioned are seven of the most popular diets followed by people these days. Image Source: Getty
5:2 Diet
The 5:2 diet is based on a principle known as intermittent fasting (IF) – where you eat normally for five days a week and fast on the other two days. On top of losing weight, fans claim the 5:2 diet can improve lifespan, brain function and protect against conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s. Good: Sticking to a regimen for two days a week is more achievable than seven days, so you are more likely to persevere with this way of eating and successfully lose weight. Bad: The non-restricted days do not mean unlimited feasting. While you don’t need to be as strict about your calorie consumption, you still need to make healthy choices and be physically active. Image Source: Getty
Dukan Diet
The Dukan diet is a low-carbohydrate (carb), high-protein diet. There’s no limit to how much you can eat during the plan’s four phases, providing you stick to the rules of the plan. During phase one, you’re on a strict lean protein diet. This is based on a list of 72 reasonably low-fat protein-rich foods, such as chicken, turkey, eggs, fish and fat-free dairy. This is for an average of five days to achieve quick weight loss. Good: It’s a very strict and prescriptive diet, and some people like that. It’s easy to follow. You don’t need to weigh food or count calories. Bad: Rapid weight loss can be motivating, but it is unsustainable and unhealthy. Image Source: Getty
Paleo Diet
The paleo diet, also known as the caveman diet, was Google’s most searched-for weight loss method in 2013. The diet consists of foods that can be hunted and fished – such as meat and seafood – and foods that can be gathered – such as eggs, nuts, seeds, fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices. That means cereal grains including wheat, dairy, refined sugar, potatoes and salt – as well as anything processed – are strictly off the menu. Good: The paleo diet encourages you to eat less processed food and more fruit and vegetables. Reducing your consumption of high-calorie foods will reduce your calorie intake and help you to lose weight. Bad: There are no accurate records of the diet of our Stone Age ancestors, so the paleo diet is largely based on an educated guess and its health claims lack scientific evidence. Image Source: Getty
New Atkins Diet
New Atkins is similar to the old Atkins except that it allows a wider variety of foods to make it more nutritionally balanced. During the first two weeks of the diet, designed for rapid weight loss, you are on a protein rich diet with no restrictions on fat and a daily carb allowance of just 20g. During the next three phases, the weight loss is likely to be more gradual, and regular exercise is encouraged. More carbs are introduced to your diet – initially 5g and later 10g at a time - with the aim of working out what your ideal carb intake is to maintain a healthy weight for life. Good: You can lose weight very quickly, which can be motivating. Bad: Initial side effects can include bad breath, a dry mouth, tiredness, dizziness, insomnia, nausea and constipation from cutting out carbs. Image Source: Getty
Alkaline diet
The diet recommends cutting back on acid-producing foods such as meat, wheat and other grains, refined sugar, dairy products, caffeine, alcohol and processed foods in favour of “alkaline foods”, which reduce the body’s acidity levels. This translates as plenty of fruit and vegetables. Alkaline diet helps to maintain the body’s acidity at healthy levels. There are different versions of the alkaline diet. Some followers adopt the "80/20 rule" consisting of a diet based on 80% fruit and veg and 20% grains and protein. Good: You will be cutting out foods you may normally eat and replacing them with healthier choices, which will also reduce your calorie intake. Bad: Getting to grips with what you can and can’t eat on the diet can be time-consuming, particularly in the beginning. Image Source: Getty
South Beach Diet
You're encouraged to eat three meals and two snacks a day and follow an exercise plan. People who have more than 10lb to lose start with phase one. This is a two-week quick weight loss regime where you eat lean protein, including meat, fish and poultry, as well as some low-GI vegetables and unsaturated fats. Low-GI carbs are re-introduced during phases two and three, which encourage gradual and sustainable weight loss. Good: After phase one, the diet broadly follows the basic principles of healthy eating. No major food groups are eliminated and plenty of fruit, veg and low-GI carbs are recommended. Bad: The severe dietary restrictions of phase one may leave you feeling weak and missing out on some vitamins, minerals and fibre. Image Source: Getty
Slimming World diet
Slimming World’s weight loss plan encourages you to swap high-fat foods for low-fat foods that are naturally filling. You choose your food from a list of low-fat foods they call "Free Foods", such as fruit, vegetables, pasta, potatoes, rice, lean meat, fish and eggs, which you can eat in unlimited amounts. There’s no calorie counting, no foods are banned, and you’re still allowed the occasional treat. Good: No foods are banned so meals offer balance and variety and are family-friendly. The portion size from each food group will vary depending on which plan you follow. Bad: Without having learned about calories and portion sizes, you may struggle to keep the weight off in the long term when you come off the programme. Image Source: Getty
The Mediterranean Diet
The Mediterranean diet is a super healthy diet based upon vegetables, lean protein, and healthy fats. If you want to follow the Mediterranean diet, eat lot of fruit, salad, vegetables, fish, pasta and bread. Image Source: Getty
Ketogenic Diet
The ketogenic diet is a high fat, ample protein and low carbohydrate diet used as a treatment for epilepsy. It provides a majority of calories from fat, as opposed to carbs or protein. It offers ample protein for growth and development. Image Source: Getty
