DIET REVIEW
From bookstores to social media to blogs, there’s no shortage of information on diet. So how to differentiate what “works” from an over hyped fad?
It’s important to remember that even if a particular diet may be successful for one person, it may not be effective for another due to individual differences in genes and lifestyle. And while research shows that calories matter, focusing on food quality is an equally important part of preventing weight gain and promoting weight loss. Diets are also more likely to be successful when they are easier to follow, so tailoring a strategy to suit your own lifestyle is key.
Still, when faced with the seemingly endless promotion of weight-loss strategies and diet plans, it helps to see what evidence is supporting them. In this series, we take a look at some popular diets—and review the research behind them.
Ketogenic Diet for Weight Loss
The ketogenic or “keto” diet is a low-carbohydrate, fat-rich eating plan that has been used for centuries to treat specific medical conditions. However in recent years, this diet has gained considerable attention as a potential weight-loss strategy. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE KETO DIET: how it works, potential pitfalls, and what the research says about this strategy for weight loss.
DASH Diet
The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet is sometimes prescribed by doctors to help treat high blood pressure, however numerous studies show wide-ranging health benefits of this eating pattern. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DASH DIET: how it works, potential pitfalls, and what the research says.
Gluten-Free for Weight Loss
A gluten-free diet eliminates all foods containing or contaminated with gluten. As the sole treatment for the 1-2% of Americans who have celiac disease, this diet is not new. What is new—and driving these sales upward—is the use of a gluten-free diet for weight loss. LEARN MORE ABOUT A GLUTEN-FREE DIET: how it works, potential pitfalls, and what the research says about this strategy for weight loss.
Intermittent Fasting for Weight Loss
Intermittent fasting is a diet regimen that cycles between brief periods of fasting, with either no food or significant calorie reduction, and periods of unrestricted eating. The most common methods are fasting on alternate days, for whole days with a specific frequency per week, or during a set time frame. LEARN MORE ABOUT INTERMITTENT FASTING: how it works, potential pitfalls, and what the research says about this strategy for weight loss.
Mediterranean Diet
The Mediterranean diet is a primarily plant-based eating plan that includes daily intake of whole grains, olive oil, fruits, vegetables, beans and other legumes, nuts, herbs, and spices. Other foods like animal proteins are eaten in smaller quantities, with the preferred animal protein being fish and seafood. It does not specify portion sizes or specific amounts, as it is up to the individual to decide exactly how much food to eat at each meal. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET: how it works, potential pitfalls, and what the research says.
Paleo Diet for Weight Loss
The Paleolithic or “Paleo” diet seeks to address 21st century ills by revisiting the way humans ate during the Paleolithic era more than 2 million years ago. Paleo proponents state that because our genetics and anatomy have changed very little since the Stone Age, we should eat foods available during that time to promote good health. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PALEO DIET: how it works, potential pitfalls, and what the research says about this strategy for weight loss.
Reference:
Harvard TH Chan School of Health
https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/healthy-weight/diet-reviews/
Terms of Use
The contents of this website are for educational purposes and are not intended to offer personal medical advice. You should seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The Nutrition Source does not recommend or endorse any products.