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There are always new "diets" coming out promising all sorts of positive
health effects, but which ones actually work and have proven results? In an ocean of fad
diets, it’s important to understand which diets are actually worth pursuing, what benefits you can actually achieve by following them, and which are the most effective at helping you achieve your objectives (healthier eating, lose weight, etc.).
While I am not a big fan of the word "diet" because I think it conjures up people depriving themselves of the foods they love. I am using the word here for lack of a better term. I'm using the word diet to refer to a way of eating that works for your lifestyle and your moral values.
Here are the top 3 diets in 2020 as rated by a panel of
health experts
in the USA.
1. The Mediterranean Diet
Probably not a huge shock to anyone, the Mediterranean Diet has been rated
the best diet on the planet. Research continues to produce the same
positive results for those who follow the diet that is heavily focused on
fruits, vegetables, nuts with only small amounts of meat, fish, and sugar.
Research has repeatedly shown that the Mediterranean Diet can reduce the
risk of various cancers, heart disease, and aid in both brain function and
weight loss. It’s worth noting these results are based on those that also
lead an active lifestyle.
One of the best things about the Mediterranean Diet is the wide variety of
foods you are able to eat. Just
view the recipe for this seafood paella! An important factor of any diet is the tasty foods
you can eat as well as the health benefits. The Mediterranean Diet achieves
both.
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2. The DASH Diet
This is one you may not have heard about even though it was rated the number two diet on the planet. DASH stands for ‘Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension’ and focuses on eating all the foods you have always been told to eat such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean protein and low-fat dairy mainly in a bid to reduce the risk of high blood pressure.
The DASH diet discourages any high saturated fatty foods, high-fat dairy
products and oil intensive foods. There is also a cap of salt per day at
just 2.3g. This makes the DASH diet nutritionally balanced and long-term is
great for your health.
A typical DASH Diet meal would include steamed vegetables topped with a
grilled chicken breast and light
salad dressing.
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3. The Flexitarian Diet
You may have heard about the Flexitarian Diet over the last year as a
by-product of veganism and the climate strikes that took place across the
world in 2019. The concept is very simple, focus your diet mostly on plant
foods and keep meat and dairy as a rare treat.
People who follow the Flexitarian Diet may only have meat. seafood, and dairy
products once or twice a week while their core diet is plant-based or
mostly vegan. Flexitarianism has become popular among those that want to
reduce their carbon footprint and improve their health while still enjoying
the odd animal product here and there.
A typical Flexitarian meal would include
eggplant meatball spaghetti topped with grated cheese. There is a big focus on using
vegetables to create meat alternatives which help people transition away
from meat-heavy diets more easily. By creating meals that replicate meat
dishes they love, following a flexitarian diet is made sustainable and
fun.
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