The Top Diets to Consider for Weight Loss
Are you interested in losing weight? If so, you aren’t alone. Millions of people around the country (and world) have this same goal. However, finding the right diet that will produce the results you want to see is one of the most challenging parts of the process.
From the Mediterranean and Gomad diet to Keto, DASH, and more, there are so many options that just looking into them can make your head spin. While this is true, some of the top options have been described below. Knowing what these are will help you choose the right diet for your needs.
Mediterranean Diet
This diet is based around the heart-healthy lifestyle of people in Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Greece. This diet includes consuming healthy fats, like fish, nuts, olive oil, and avocados a minimum of twice per week, plenty of leafy greens, whole grains, fruit, and beans, and a glass of red wine each day. You can eat cheese in moderation, but limit how much red meat you eat to just one or two times per week.
While the main appeal of this diet is the health benefits it offers, as it helps reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases and cognitive decline, it also helps with weight loss. This is the case if you reduce your caloric intake to 1,500 calories per day or less.
DASH Diet
The DASH diet stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. It was designed to help individuals control blood pressure without the use of medications. If you choose the DASH diet, you will consume nonfat and low-fat dairy products, whole grains, vegetables, and fruits. It limits your intake of dietary cholesterol and saturated fat.
With this diet, your health will improve, and if you restrict your calories while following the heart-healthy rules outlined by DASH, you can lower your blood pressure (without medication) and lose weight.
WW (Formerly Weight Watchers)
WW, which used to be called Weight Watchers, has been around for years. However, there’s a reason for this – it’s an effective diet plan.
With myWW+, you receive a color-coded program that gives you a set number of points to eat each day. Foods are given points based on sugar, saturated fat, calories, and protein. If you stick within your given point range, you can eat whatever you want. You also can eat as many zero-point foods as you want. These foods include vegetables, fruits, and lean proteins. You do have to pay to access the program, but it is an effective weight loss diet if you follow the instructions and guidelines.
Vegan Diet
If you want to take the traditional vegetarian diet a step further, consider going vegan. As a vegan, you avoid all animal products, including honey, eggs, and dairy products. Some people choose to follow this lifestyle for environmental or ethical reasons, while others follow a vegan diet for weight loss, too. Also, with the new era of plant-based meats being available, it is easier (and tastier) than ever before to choose the vegan diet.
Keep in mind that just following a vegan diet probably won’t be enough to help you lose weight. You must consider how you can reduce calories, too, since things like potato chips, pasta, and candy all fall under the umbrella of being vegan foods.
Flexitarian Diet
The Flexitarian Diet is a pro-plant diet but offers more flexibility by allowing you to eat turkey at Thanksgiving or have a hot dog at the ballpark. There are no strict limitations regarding calories; however, if you want to lose weight, it is a good idea to reduce the calories you consume.
When it comes to finding the right diet to follow, it’s a good idea to consider some of the options above. You can also work with your doctor to figure out which diet program will best suit your needs. Being informed is the best way to find the right diet for you.
