You’ve decided to lose weight. Great! Now, how are you going to do it? Which diet plan should you follow? For most people, the answer is obvious: follow the popular 6-week diet plan, also known as the ‘Weight Watchers Diet’ (WWD). This is the plan that’s been around for decades and is recommended by most dieticians and health organizations. However, is it the best plan for you? Let’s take a closer look.
Short-Term Diet Plans
Do you have a specific event that you need to lose weight for? A wedding, graduation, or birthday party and you want to lose the weight as soon as possible? Congratulations! You’ve decided to do something about your weight and that’s great! There are many short-term diet plans that you can follow; some are even easier to follow than the WWD. Let’s take a look at a few of these diet plans.
The Hormone Diet
If you’re losing weight for a specific reason (i.e., you have a hormone issue that causes you to gain weight) then it’s best to follow a diet plan specifically designed for that reason. One of the best-known hormone diet plans is the ‘Paleo Diet’ which stands for “Paleolithic Diet”, named after the paleolithic era, which was a time when humans primarily ate foods like beef, chicken, and fish. During this time, there was less obesity and people were healthier overall. A growing number of people are discovering the health advantages of following a paleolithic diet and many nutritionists recommend it for those suffering from weight issues, especially for women. The diet encourages the consumption of whole foods and avoids manufactured foods.
The Atkins Diet
The Atkins Diet is named after its founder, Dr. William S. Atkins, who proposed a low-carbohydrate diet in the 1950s. This diet is primarily based on meat, fish, and eggs with plenty of vegetables and fruits on the side. A diet high in calories and low in nutrition, the Atkins Diet is often recommended for those suffering from obesity, especially for people who want to lose a large amount of weight quickly. However, while the diet is successful for weight loss, it has been known to cause health problems for some people, especially those who follow it for too long. Still, for those who follow the plan carefully and monitor their diet closely, the Atkins Diet can be an effective weight loss tool.
The Specific Carbohydrate Diet
If you’ve decided that the WWD is not the right diet for you then it’s time to move on to a more complicated diet. One of the latest diet trends is the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) which stands for “Paleo Diet with a Twist”. Similar to the Atkins Diet, the SCD is based on meat and vegetables with only a few grains and some fruit allowed. However, while the Atkins Diet focuses on protein, the SCD focuses on carbohydrates and the types of carbohydrates that you should include in your diet. Your body needs carbs to function properly and for most people, the WWD provides plenty of carbohydrates which is one of the reasons it’s been around for so long. Still, for those who are sensitive to carbs or have diabetes, it’s better to avoid the WWD and instead follow the SCD which provides more control over what you eat and how much you consume.
The Mediterranean Diet
If none of the previous diets seem to be working for you, it’s time to try a new plan. One of the latest diet trends to hit the scene is the Mediterranean Diet. This diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and fish but low in meat, refined sugar, and processed foods. Similar to the classic WWD, the Mediterranean Diet encourages the consumption of natural foods and discourages the intake of foods containing added sugar. Because of its recent rise in popularity, many people are discovering the health benefits of the Mediterranean Diet and many nutritionists and dieticians recommend it for those who want to lose weight fast.
The Science
That’s a lot of diets! It would be nice if there was a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach when it comes to losing weight but as you can see, that simply isn’t the case. Each of these diets is based on a different premise and philosophy with varying levels of scientific support. One of the best things that can happen for those who want to lose weight is to learn about the different types of diets out there and what makes them work or not work. This will help you decide which diet is best suited for you and your own personal goals.
Which Diet Should You Follow?
So, which diet should you follow? Ultimately, it depends on you, your own personal goals, your lifestyle, and what makes you feel comfortable. If you’ve decided that you want to lose weight, the answer is obvious: follow the WWD! It’s been around for a long time and has been proven to be successful for many people. However, if you’ve decided that this is not the approach you want to take, then it’s best to try a different plan. Remember, not all fad diets are bad, it’s how you utilize them that matters. For instance, if you’re looking to get rid of anxiety, it might be a good idea to try the Bulletproof Diet. Or, if you’re looking for a natural way to boost your health, the GAPS diet might be a good fit. It’s all about what you’re looking for and what works best for you individually.