Every year there are new diets that come and go. Some are effective at helping you lose weight and some or nothing more than a fad that will be here today and gone tomorrow. When I go to lunch I see people eating all kinds of different foods some look appetizing and others look like something you wouldn’t dare put in your mouth.
I found that the reason people go from diet to diet is that they will either find out that the diet is ineffective or that it doesn’t work for them because it doesn’t fit their lifestyle. If you’re looking for a diet and not sure which one is right for you. Read on to learn about the top 5 weight loss diets that you should try today.
What Are The Top 5 Weight Loss Diets?
- Mediterranean Diet- This diet is based on foods people eat in Italy and Greece during the 60s. Some of the benefits with the Mediterranean diet is that it has been shown to help prevent heart attacks, strokes, premature death, and type 2 diabetes. You can eat vegetables, fruits, poultry in moderation and some red meat. You can’t eat sugar or sweetened beverages. Depending on who you ask this diet can have a variety of answers on what is actually ok to eat, but most will agree that you should base this diet on eating unprocessed Mediterranean foods. You can drink coffee and moderate amounts of red wine. Also, you can drink tea, but mostly drinking lots of water. One of the best parts of this diet is that you don’t have to count calories.
- Mind Diet- Just as your mind of guessed this is a diet for your mind. It’s designed to prevent dementia and loss of brain function especially as you age. This diet is a combination of the Mediterranean diet and Dash diet which I will be talking about later. On the Mind Diet, you eat leafy greens, berries, nuts, whole grains, poultry, and you can drink wine. The greatest benefit of following the Mind Diet is that it has been shown to help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. You should limit your intake of butter, cheese, red meat, fried food, and pastries. Eating foods on this diet contain nutrients that promote good brain health and reduce oxidative stress. If you choose this diet you’ll like that it’s easy to follow.
- TLC Diet- TLC stands for (Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes) This diet focuses on eating less fat and staying away from foods with cholesterol. This diet is heart healthy and not considered a fad since it’s endorsed by the government. Some of the guidelines with this diet are to eat no more than 5 ounces of meat a day. Eat dairy in moderation and load up on fruits and vegetables. It’s ok to eat bread, cereal, and pasta. You can view a sample menu by going to cardiosmart.org.
- Flexitarian Diet- Similar to vegetarian this diet also allows you to eat meat in moderation. If you don’t want to give up meat completely but like the vegetarian diet. This may be the diet for you. Most of the meat will be from non-meat protein such as beans, peas, and eggs. Most of the meals are simple to make and you shouldn’t feel hungry on this diet. There is a lot of variety on this diet and that will help you from becoming bored.
- Dash Diet- Last but not least is the Dash Diet. The focus of this diet is to lower high blood pressure. You will be eating foods that are lower in sodium. A sample list of foods that you will be eating on this diet is fruits, vegetables, whole grains, poultry, fish, and low-fat dairy. The aim or this diet is not to lose weight. So if you are looking for weight loss this isn’t the diet for you. One version of the Dash Diet allows you to consume up to 2,300 milligrams (MG) of sodium each day and the other is low sodium limit of 1,500 mg sodium each day. You should also limit your consumption of alcohol on this diet.
Conclusion:
The top 5 weight loss diets are very different from one another and focus on specific health concerns. If you are wanting a diet that is long-term and can help you improve your health any of these diets would be beneficial.
It’s always nice to look in the mirror and notice that you have lost weight and look better, but when you feel better too that’s what really matters. It’s about living healthier and feeling good on the inside and outside. Which one of these diets do you like?
Remember to check with your physician before starting any new diet or exercise program and find out from them which one is right for you. They can guide you on your weight loss journey or help you to work on an area of your health that needs improvement. Dieting and exercise is a way to live for the rest of your life.