People go on diets for many different reasons, from reducing health risks to improving their mood. According to the International Food Information Council Foundation, weight loss and management is one of the most common reasons people go on diets—second only to improving cardiovascular health. While many people start diets with the intention to reach a weight loss goal, few end up following their diet long-term. Ultimately, the key to maintaining a diet is to find one that works well with your lifestyle. These are some of the different types of weight loss diets to consider.
Vegan diet
Often viewed as a lifestyle choice, the vegan diet doesn’t contain any animal products such as meat, dairy, or eggs. Instead, it includes healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, and starches. Vegans often don’t have to worry about counting calories or restricting portion sizes due to the low fat and high-fiber nature of their diet.
Mediterranean diet
The Mediterranean diet is inspired by the nutritional habits of people who live in Southern European countries such as Crete, Greece, and southern Italy. It includes a lot of vegetables, fruits, fish, beans, nuts, whole grains, and olive oil. Dairy and meat are limited, although small quantities are permitted. The Mediterranean diet is often viewed as a sustainable diet choice that helps with weight loss and depression.
Zone diet
The Zone diet monitors the body’s insulin levels by limiting carbohydrate consumption. Those who follow the zone diet want their food consumption to consist of 40 percent high-quality or unrefined carbohydrates, 30 percent fats, and 30 percent protein. The idea is that reducing the quantity of refined carbohydrates will cause insulin levels to fluctuate less rapidly, and so the body will be more likely to burn stored fat as an energy source.
Paleo diet
Inspired by the way people ate before the rise of modern agriculture, those who follow the paleo diet aim to only eat foods that could be hunted or gathered. These foods include whole foods, vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, and lean protein. The paleo diet avoids grains, dairy, and processed food—often resulting in the consumption of fewer calories and less carbs.
Ketogenic diet
The keto diet is a low-carb, high-fat way to eat. It conditions the body to burn fat as fuel rather than carbohydrates. The key to this diet is to consume healthy fats such as those found in nuts, seeds, avocados, and fish. Those who have type 1 diabetes should be careful about following this diet, though, as it may lead to ketoacidosis.
Everyone’s body is different, so there isn’t a single diet that works perfectly for everyone. To find a sustainable nutritional plan that is right for you, Libertyville Wellness Group can help. We offer individualized nutrition counseling and weight loss programs that are medically supervised and personalized to your unique body and lifestyle. For more information about our programs for weight loss in Libertyville, IL., call our office at 847-996-0007.
