New diets grab the headlines every few weeks, which makes it incredibly hard to choose when – how do you know which are the real deal and which are just fads? Studies suggest that people on low fat diets lose just 7lbs on average over the course of two years, Mediterranean diets enable people to lose 10lbs and the low carb diet enabled people to lose 12lbs. There were also very few health benefits to a low fat diet. Those on a Mediterranean diet saw their blood sugar levels improve and the low carb diet offered the best results for cholesterol levels. When it comes to choosing the best diet for your health and goals, it’s important to first discuss it with your GP – they will help you take any other health concerns into account, and to draw up a plan that works best for you.
A low carb diet, such as the Atkins diet, emphasises the protein and fats in the food you eat. People following this diet can eat around one third of their daily calorie intake from carbs. Many fruits and vegetables are considered high in carbohydrates, so this diet can be incredibly bad for your health and it limits your meal options. Sugar is also restricted, as with most diets. The theory behind this meal plan is that by lowering your intake of carbs, you can lower your insulin levels to force your body to burn stored fat for energy People do lose weight with this type of diet, but it can be incredibly straining on your health. Surprisingly, it can also be very challenging to restrict your intake of fruit, grains and sugar. Because you lack energy, your level of fitness suffers which means you will struggle to workout for as long. It can be stressful on your heart and can lead to a number of health problems.
The Mediterranean diet is the opposite, as this relies heavily on your intake of antioxidant-rich fruit and vegetables, whole grains and heart-healthy olive oil. You can even drink a glass of merlot with it! Research shows that it can lower the risk of cancer, heart disease and even Alzheimer’s disease. It can also improve your lifespan by keeping you healthier for longer. Thanks to its rich intake of oily fish, you’ll also get plenty of omega-3 fatty acids which can do wonders for your health. This leads on to the vegetarian diet, which studies show can also be very healthy thanks to the high quantity of vegetables, fruit, whole grains and lean protein, such as tofu. if you’re struggling to go vegetarian straight away, you may want to ease into it by still eating fish for a while, then going on to alternative protein sources, such as tofu or meat substitutes, nuts, lentils and beans.
A balanced diet is important, so you should aim to still eat certain fats – the trick is to choose your sources carefully. Switching diets drastically can be harmful to your health, so it is best to ease into it if you can. You may also be wise to speak to your GP first to ensure that it is safe for you to switch to. For example, if you’re vastly overweight or suffering with a health condition your body may be under stress – it may be worth easing into a new diet plan and exercise so as not to put your body under strain unnecessarily. They will be able to advise the best way to go about losing weight, and switching your lifestyle up for healthier choices.
Comments are closed.