If you want to make healthy changes this year, it is important to know that all diets are not created equal. You need to know what diets are out there so that you can make an informed choice about which one will likely work for you the best. This quick guide will give you some pointers on how to get started, what to look for, and three of the best diets of 2022.
Getting Started
Before starting any diet, you need to consider other health issues and medications you are currently taking. A drastic change in eating habits can affect some health conditions in a negative way. The same goes for interactions with medication. For instance, people taking certain medications for diabetes cannot go on Keto diets, because it can throw their bodies into ketoacidosis, which is a deadly condition not to be confused with ketosis (the state in which you burn fat quickly). Be sure to talk with your doctor if you have existing medical conditions or are taking any medication before starting a new diet.
Mediterranean Diet
This diet continues to pop up on “Best Of” lists over and over again. The reason is that it truly is one of the best ways to lose weight and improve health. This diet consists of eating behaviors modeled by Greece, Italy, Spain, and Portugal. This diet is full of healthy fats, beans, fruit, leafy greens, whole grains, and even a daily treat of a glass of red wine. Cheese and red meat are even included. As you can see, you certainly do not starve on this diet. So, how do you lose weight?
The Mediterranean Diet works because it gives your body the essential nutrients it needs. When the body gets the nutrients it needs, you do not feel hungry. Hunger truly is your body asking for nutrients. This is why if you eat junk food, you feel hungry very soon. Your body has got none of the things it so needs, so the hunger continues.
Beyond weight loss, this diet will help you lower risks for chronic disease as well and some research indicates it can even make your brain work better. Keep in mind, that the weight-loss aspects of this diet are based on caloric restriction, usually around 1500 a day.
Dash Diet
The Dash Diet stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. This diet was created for patients with high blood pressure. The intent was to help control blood pressure through diet and without medication. The diet encourages many good healthy eating behaviors that can help anyone lose weight and improve their health.
This diet pushes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat or non-fat dairy. There is a limited amount of saturated fat or cholesterol. When a calorie restriction is followed, this diet can definitely help you lose weight as well as improve overall health.
WW
For decades, Weight Watchers, now known simply as WW, has helped people navigate the often confusing waters of healthier eating and weight loss. Today, it is still considered one of the best diets in 2022. WW strives to help simplify healthy eating. If you do not have the time or patience to study metabolism and the intricacies of chemical reactions within your body, WW can help by developing a program for you that breaks down food choices in an easy-to-understand and easy-to-follow plan.
Foods are assigned points. Points are based on the health benefits of the food and their nutrient density. You don’t have to learn all of that; you simply follow your points system.
You can try WW at different levels. You can simply pay a small fee for access to the point tracking app, or you can pay a larger fee to get access to weekly meetings and the help of a personal coach.