which diet is best For You?

It is estimated that around 45 million people in the United States go on a diet each year, primarily with weight loss in mind.(https://www.bmc.org/nutrition-and-weight-management/weight-management) The key is to find the diet that works best for you. Research has found that about 30-35% of weight lost from dieting is regained within ONE year! (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3901982//). This enforces how important it is for you to choose a diet program that you can turn into a habit, and not just a short-term fad.

 

I myself, have dabbled in several diets, but have found that my diet is dependent on what my body needs for that time. When I was competing Crossfit, I emerged deeply into the culture and followed the Paleo Diet. Think of the Paleo Diet as all the foods that you would have ate as a Caveman. Only meat, fish/seafood, fresh fruits & vegetables, eggs, nuts & seeds, and healthful oils. (https://thepaleodiet.com/what-to-eat-on-the-paleo-diet-paul-vandyken/)

 

In the past year, I transitioned to a “Plant-Based” Diet, after learning more about health problems that could arise from too much meat consumption. (https://www.forksoverknives.com/plant-based-primer-beginners-guide-starting-plant-based-diet/#gs.bnKDKUA) While I have not completely cut out meat, I have significantly cut down on the amount I consume and completely eliminated pork from my diet. What I enjoy about the Plant-Based Diet is that I’m free to eat a variety of different foods, but the core of my diet is plant-based food, which I enjoyed eating anyway!

 

Currently, I am in the process of training for my first marathon! That means with all the miles I’m putting on my body, I need more carbs than I did before. I’ve reintroduced pasta, rice, grains and even bread because my body is able to burn it off quicker and use it for energy. I’m still not eating heavy carbs, but somewhere in between none and consuming them every single meal. (http://running.competitor.com/2017/04/nutrition/new-rules-carbs-runners_163962)

 

You’re probably thinking, “Great, well what the hell am I supposed to eat!? Do I eat meat? Do I not eat meat? Are carbs the devil? Just tell me what to eat and I’ll do it!” If only it were that easy. Each person is different and that’s why there are so many diets that work well for different people. You just have to find the one that works best for you and addresses your needs.

 

According to Medical News Today, the top-rated diets for 2018 are:

 

1. Weight-Watchers was voted the best diet for weight loss, receiving a 4 out of 5 for short-term weight loss and 3.5 out of 5 for long-term weight loss. (https://health.usnews.com/best-diet/weight-watchers-diet)

 

1. The DASH Diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), took first place in the best diet for heart health. This diet is high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, poultry and low-fat dairy. The DASH diet was also ranked the best overall diet. (https://health.usnews.com/best-diet/dash-diet)

 

1. The Mediterranean Diet, was voted the best diabetes diet and second-best diet for heart health. This diet emphasizes consuming fish and seafood at least twice weekly, along with regular consumption of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains. (https://health.usnews.com/best-diet/mediterranean-diet)

 

There are so many different diets and ways of eating out there. One of the biggest things you can start to do is reduce sugar, fried foods and processed foods in your diet. Notice I said “reduce” and not completely eliminate, we want to work on creating habits that will promote long term change. One last recommendation, if you’re not sure where to begin, the Whole 30 Diet is a great place to start. (https://whole30.com) The Whole 30 diet is a 30-day strict diet that gives you the opportunity to learn what foods work for your body and which ones don’t. After the 30 days, you follow a program to re-introduce foods in your diet one at a time and learn if it’s a food that agrees with your body or not. Think of this diet as doing a “30-day reset” on your body.

 

No matter which diet you decide to follow, make sure that you are enjoying it! Eating is not meant to be a miserable part of your day. It’s all about levels of consumption, for the foods you hate and the foods you love!