It is said that necessity is the mother of invention, and this adage certainly applies to the kitchen. For years, cooks have been creating fad diets and food supplements to help them lose weight, but as diet trends come and go, the search for the “perfect diet” continues. Now, as water shortages continue to befall parts of the world, the search for a way to shed those extra pounds takes on a whole new dimension. As it turns out, the perfect diet may be hiding in plain sight all along! Let’s take a look.
The Ideal Diet
When most people think about losing weight, diets usually come to mind. While there are many different diets that one can try, when it comes to creating the perfect diet, it is important to bear in mind a few fundamental concepts. To begin with, the perfect diet will be nutritionally balanced, rich in vegetables, and low in carbohydrates. To that end, let’s take a look at some of the latest diet trends that incorporate these three crucial diet pillars.
Weight Watchers’ Smart Points
One of the most popular diet plans in recent years has been Weight Watchers. This particular diet plan was originally created in the 1960s and was originally geared toward health professionals. Since then, the plan has transformed from being a weight-loss tool to a diet for everyone. On Weight Watchers, food is not restricted and is instead counted in terms of “points” to enable one to achieve a healthier lifestyle. Points are calculated using a formula that combines a food’s nutritional value with an estimate of how much one wants to eat (based on one’s own personal preferences). For instance, a food that is rich in vitamins and fiber but has very little fat has a high nutritional value but also a low calories value. As a result, one would have a fairly high ‘point value’ for that food. On the other hand, a food that is high in fat but has low nutritional value has a low ‘point value.’ Hence, if one were to follow Weight Watchers, then they would be encouraged to eat more of the first type of food and less of the second.
The Flexitarian Diet
The flexitarian diet, which stands for “flexible meat eater,” was originally created in 2014 as a way to incorporate more vegetables and unprocessed foods into one’s diet. As the name would suggest, this diet allows one to indulge in the foods that one normally associates with being “flexible,” such as ice cream, cake, and pizza, while still adhering to a mainly plant-based diet. It was originally developed by nutritionists at the nonprofit organization Just Eat and is based on the premise that many people can enjoy a nice piece of chocolate without hurting their waistline. When it comes to creating the perfect diet, the flexitarian approach is a great middle ground. This diet puts emphasis on food quality rather than food quantity, which makes it an effective tool for those who want to lose weight but don’t want to give up certain foods, such as meat or dairy. These diets are typically higher in fiber and low in fat, making them filling and sustainable, factors that are crucial for any diet that one wants to keep for the long term.
The Pescetarian Diet
The term “pescetarian” refers to someone who abstains from consuming fish. This diet choice was first popularized in 2019 by Bill Becket, author of the Eat to Live cookbook, who noted that there were many individuals who were not only able to continue to eat fish but actually experienced weight loss while on this diet. The reason behind this phenomenon is that fish are high in protein and low in carbohydrate, both of which contribute to weight loss, as well as being nutrient-rich. On the other hand, vegetarians tend to eat a lot of grains and are therefore at greater risk of nutritional deficiency, particularly when it comes to iron. Since many people who follow this diet are mostly sedentary, they are also more likely to become deficient in vitamin D, another factor that can lead to weight gain. To wit, vitamin D encourages the body to metabolize food more efficiently and enables proper functioning of all the body’s systems, including the immune, circulatory, and nervous systems. Getting sufficient amounts of vitamin D can help reduce the risk of weight gain and boost the body’s ability to maintain a healthy weight. In these cases, it is preferable to opt for foods that are naturally high in vitamin D, such as fish and shrimp, as opposed to taking supplements.
Water And The ‘Perfect Diet’ Collide
These days, with the world’s water supplies diminishing and people struggling with obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, the need to control our diet is more important than ever. As a result, the search for the perfect diet is once again taking on a whole new dimension. While most people think about dieting when it comes to losing weight, it is actually quite the opposite. As we’ve established, the perfect diet will be low in carbohydrates and high in water. This is because there is strong evidence that links low carb diets with both weight loss and increased exercise adherence. In one study, overweight and obese patients who followed a low-carbohydrate diet for 12 weeks experienced a greater reduction in body weight and body mass index than those on a standard American diet. Furthermore, in addition to reducing their waistlines, the patients on a low carb diet also exhibited increased levels of energy and improved moods. So, while most people think of diets when it comes to losing weight, the truth is that these diets can help one gain weight! Consider this: Studies have also shown that people who follow diets that are high in water lose more weight than those who consume less water, supporting what we’ve established so far about the importance of hydration in a healthy lifestyle. To wit, if you want to lose weight, you should consider following a low carb diet and drinking plenty of water. This is because there is a strong connection between low carb diets and increased water intake. In one study, participants who consumed more than six glasses of water per day while on a low carb diet experienced a significant weight loss, compared to those who drank three or fewer glasses of water per day. This is because water helps flush out toxins and waste products from the body, resulting in weight loss. This makes sense when you think about it. We drink water to quench our thirst, but the truth is that our bodies don’t register thirst the same way conscious humans do. So, while you may feel thirsty after eating a rich meal, your body does not necessarily have to follow suit. Drinking sufficient amounts of water will help prevent you from suffering from dehydration, which can lead to serious health complications. Thus, if you want to lose weight, you should consider drinking more water than usual.
Summary
In these days of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, the need for a healthy diet has never been more apparent. Since vegetables, fruit, and water tend to be the three pillars of a healthy diet, it should come as no great surprise that many popular diets incorporate these food groups into their respective plans. As we’ve seen, these three dietary factors have been crucial in helping people shed the excess pounds and have a healthier lifestyle. So, if you’re looking to create the perfect diet for yourself or someone else, eat plenty of vegetables and drink plenty of water, and you may just find the answer you’re looking for!