Different Types of Weight Loss Diets
These days, the fitness market is inundated with different quick fixes and top hacks for getting healthy. As the saying goes, abs are made in the kitchen. Finding the right nutrition that fits what your body needs and helps you stay energetic and healthy is so important.
It may be confusing when various nutritionists, Instagram influencers and celebrities are flaunting the top new diet. The school of public health at Harvard did research on the best diet and came to the conclusion that the priority for your day to day eating regime should include one thing: high quality foods.
Obviously we understand what high quality can be. Including vegetables, fruit and high grade protein into each meal. But it is nice to have a specific outline of what you should be eating, and also it is important to find the diet and routine that works best for you. Every person is made genetically differently and that will require different habits.
You will find perfect balance in health with portion control, high quality foods and listening to your body when it tells you that you need food or that you are full. But it is important to find the diet that works well for you and that you can stick with. To help you align your weight loss priorities, we dive into the top quick weight loss diets of today and what they consist of.
The Ketogenic Diet
The most popular diet right now that has caused the most confusion. You may associate bulletproof/ butter coffee, ketones and avocados with the ketogenic diet. But how does it really work?
To sum it up, the ketogenic diet is high fat, high protein and low carbohydrate diet. The goal is to transition your body from burning carbs to fat, to put you in state called ketosis. Keto is best for people who get lethargic when they eat too many carbs.
People have found amazing fat loss results from keto as they are supplying a different source of full, other than carbs. Carbs can be good in moderation but they can be overdone quickly causing you to gain weight. When your body is running on fat is optimal for energy, for some people.
To start keto you need to alter your diet. If you take in an average of 2,000 calories a day, 165 should be fat, 40 should be protein and 75 or less should be carbs. Along with that you want your carbs to consist mostly of fruits and vegetables.
Think high fat foods like, olive oil, avocados, fish and nuts. These will help you feel fuller longer and allow your body to begin to run on the healthy fats you are consuming. Test keto out for your fat loss and health journey to see if it is right for you.
The Paleo Diet
If you are interested in aligning your health with not only modern times, but the first men, Paleo could be for you. The whole idea is to eat as our forefathers did during caveman times as that is how our bodies were meant to operate.
So think things that were only available in the early days of humanity, which won’t be most things in the middle of the grocery store.
The main things you eat on the paleo diet are: meat, vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds. On the paleo diet you avoid: oils, dairy, grains, processed foods and sweeteners.
Eating a paleo diet is not for the faint of heart, but you will see exceptional results in your fitness journey. Paleo is best recommended for those with intense will power and people who don’t really have a sweet tooth.
The Mediterranean Diet
What do the people of Greece, Italy and Croatia eat? Well, you will find out if you embark on the journey of following the Mediterranean diet for weight loss. This weight loss diet incorporates healthy fruits and vegetables, fish and whole grains. Olive oil and red wine are a large part of this diet, as you can imagine.
The idea is incorporating foods that can be consumed in moderation and are good for lowering stress. The Mediterranean lifestyle also includes eating with family and friends, getting plenty of natural exercise (i.e. Walking, hiking, biking) and having you biggest meal of the day at lunch.
By following the criteria of this diet you will find yourself living an overall healthy life. The Mediterranean lifestyle is great because it changes your habits and inspires the “simpler life”.
The Low Carb Diet
It’s as simple as the title suggest, you pretty much take most carbohydrates out of your diet. Low carb is great for people who have a hard time with self control when it comes to carb dense foods that can be addicting. Things like sugars and processed foods can have addictive property that makes overeating a problem.
Low carb takes all the options away from you. The first thing you need to think for your diet on low carb is heaps of protein. Add eggs, salmon, chicken, beef and protein powders; a lot of protein keeps you full. And also, healthy fats like avocado and olive oil. Lastly, you can eat veggies and fruits in moderation.
The whole goal of low carb is to take away those foods that cause fat gain. This is a great option if you have low self control and need to be told no about certain foods.
Vegetarian
If you are conscience of the exploitation of animals and want to live a life that avoids the cruelty practices towards natural life or if you just don’t enjoy eating meat, then a vegetarian lifestyle could be for you. Vegetarian is as simple as not eating any products that come from an animal.
Vegetarian is good for weight loss as you don’t overload on dairy products, you choose eco-friendly, natural items and your diet is balanced more due to the lack of options. If you have goals to lose weight and are environmentally conscience, then the vegetarian diet could be great for you.
What Diet is Best?
As the Harvard study confirmed, it truly is about including high quality foods in your diet. All of these diets focus on fruits, vegetables, quality meat (or no meat) and nuts. If you can pick one that fits well with your lifestyle and body, something you can really stick to, then any diet will be a great mechanism for losing weight.