Did you know that 45 million people in the United States alone go on a diet every year? However, since the United States is one of the leading countries in the world in terms of obesity rates, there is clearly something wrong with our way of dieting. The root of it might be in dieting trends and fads.
While there are some diet trends that work, some do little to help you accomplish your weight loss goals. So, how can you tell which diets work and which diets don’t? Luckily, you won’t need to try a variety of diets to find out for yourself.
Instead, you can read this article where you will discover the latest diet trends and how they work (or don’t). To start off our discussion, we will take a closer look at some of the best dieting fads followed by the worst when it comes to losing weight.
The Mediterranean Diet
You’ve most likely already heard of the Mediterranean diet. This is because of how useful it is not only for losing weight but for keeping yourself healthy in general as well. So, what should you keep in mind when following the Mediterranean diet, and what makes it so wonderful?
The key to the Mediterranean diet is that it includes all the nutrients of the food pyramid. More than that, it also encourages moderation. As the name suggests, the diet is inspired by the foods prepared in the countries surrounding the Mediterranean sea such as Italy, Greece, and Spain.
It also encourages the cutting out of processed foods as well as foods that are too sugary or salty. Meat is also not the star of every dish when following this diet. Instead, vegetables and fresh fruits are prioritized.
Lots of olive oil is also important for the Mediterranean diet. This does not mean you can eat all the deep-fried food you want. Instead, olive oil is often used and can be sprinkled over salads, bread, and other foods for a bit of subtle flavor.
Whole grains are prioritized over processed grains. As for protein, fish is often more popular than chicken, pork, or red meat, especially fatty fish. Red wine, nuts, and full-fat products such as yogurt are also important for this diet.
By following the suggestions of the Mediterranean diet, you will find yourself consuming less saturated fats, fewer carbs, and lower amounts of sodium and sugar. Not only will you lose weight, but you will feel healthier.
The Korean Diet
Korean diet trends have become popular with the rise of K-pop musicians. The Korean diet is similar in several ways to the Mediterranean diet except that the foods included are those derived from Korea. This means that processed foods are a no-no and should be substituted with whole, natural products.
Vegetables are a must when it comes to the Korean diet, even more so than with the Mediterranean diet. Many Koreans eat vegetables with every meal, even breakfast. While many Americans complain of having to eat vegetables, Koreans eat them with a passion.
Koreans also don’t eat much dairy or bread, so throw those products out of your home if you’re following this diet. Instead, focus on rice, kimchi, and seafood while avoiding sugary or salty foods.
The Vegetarian Diet
Many people today are proud to be vegetarians and for good reason. When avoiding meat and focusing on vegetables, whole grains, and fruit, you’ll undoubtedly be able to start losing weight.
Many people think that a balanced diet can’t exist without meat, but you can actually get many of the same nutrients in meat from plant protein. Some believe that the consumption of meat can inflame the body. While this requires more studies, there are certainly plenty of benefits when it comes to the vegetarian diet.
However, keep in mind that just because some foods are vegetarian doesn’t mean they’ll help you lose weight. For example, you can easily buy vegetarian bread at the store, but bread in any form will not help you lose weight.
From here, we’ll explore some of the worst dieting fads.
The Carnivore Diet
The Carnivore diet, as the name suggests, is the opposite of the vegetarian diet. Unlike the vegetarian diet, the carnivore diet does not offer many health benefits. This diet involves the consumption of animal protein and possibly some fats like cheese or butter, but nothing more.
While this diet can help you lose weight because of the lack of carbs, it is not healthy. This is because you are missing important vitamins from different food groups. This diet can also increase your cholesterol and saturated fat levels, which can be bad for your heart.
Cleanse Diets
While some swear by cleanse or detox diets, they are some of the worst you can try. While cleanse diets can help you lose weight, they can be dangerous in the long run.
Cleanse diets claim to remove “toxins” from your body. This happens through fasting and colon cleanses. Often, smoothies or other products such as laxatives are consumed to promote “purging.” This can be dangerous because purging can lead to dehydration fast if you’re not drinking enough water.
More than that, you are also losing electrolytes when you purge that water cannot replace. There is no scientific evidence to support cleanse diets. More than that, your liver and kidneys function to remove toxins from your body, so try to avoid cleanse diets.
Instead, look for a diet that feels good for your body. You can learn more from DietCypher.
Choosing Dieting Trends
By the end of this article, you should know all about the best and worst dieting trends. You should also know how to choose the right diet for you when it comes to losing weight and getting healthy.
So, what are you waiting for? Why not start a new diet today? Check out the food section of our website to learn more.
