Dieting has a bad reputation for its association with unhealthy habits, but we can learn a lot about the way our bodies respond to certain foods when we change things up every once in a while. Following a new diet for a short period can help in identifying food triggers, intolerances, or sensitivities. It can be interesting to change things up to see how new foods make you feel.
There are so many different diets/ways of eating these days. Sometimes it can be challenging to navigate them all or remember what is “allowed” for each one. Here, we are explaining the top 3 most popular diets of last year – what types of foods they involve, what to avoid, and their believed health benefits. We hope it helps!
1. Paleo: The paleo diet is intended to resemble the diets of hunters and gatherers front thousands of years ago. In fact, it’s sometimes referred to as the “caveman diet.” Think unprocessed foods that come directly from the earth: meat, fish, vegetables, nuts & seeds, whole grains, and some fruits. The paleo diet is inherently low-carb and is believed to reduce the risk of diseases like diabetes and heart disease (healthline.com). Someone following this diet would avoid foods made with added sugars, processed grains, vegetable oils, and dairy products.
2. Keto: The ketogenic diet, despite its known challenges, has been popular in the wellness space for many years. It allows for just 20-50 grams of carbohydrates per day to force the body into a state of ketosis. This means that instead of relying on sugar from carbohydrates, the body uses stored fat for energy. Because this fat is being burned for energy, the keto diet is often associated with rapid weight loss. Meals are very high in fat and protein, but low in carbohydrates, including fruits and vegetables.
3. Vegan: You’re likely familiar with a vegetarian diet, but veganism is slightly different. Someone who follows a vegan diet avoids all animal products. This includes eggs, dairy products, and even honey. Many follow this diet plan to support their health, but it’s also known to be environmentally beneficial. Many wonder how someone who doesn’t eat meat or eggs get enough protein – but there are plenty of choices. Soy products like tofu and tempeh, beans, nuts/seeds, and vegetables have plenty of protein. Many vegans also supplement with a plant-based protein powder sourced from peas, hemp, soy. Many offer 15-20grams of protein per serving. Veganism is often associated with improved heart health, a lowered risk of type 2 diabetes, and healthy weight (Medical News Today).
We hope this simple guide helps you in navigating a few different ways of eating. Which of these three diets would you be most likely to try out?
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