Everything You Need to Know about the Latest Trendy Diets

June 25, 2019

Eating healthy is important but choosing which diet to follow can be confusing. There are several diets out there that promote a healthy lifestyle but follow different rules. If you’re unsure of which diet to follow, we’ve got you covered. Here’s everything you need to know about keto, IIFYM, paleo, and plant-based diets.

Keto Diet
Keto stands for ketogenic and the goal is to enter a state of ketosis. This is when your liver makes ketones from fat and your body uses them for fuel. In this diet, you eat mostly fat with a moderate amount of protein and very little carbs.

The good news is that this diet can aid in serious weight loss. The bad news is that keto dieters usually don’t eat enough veggies and fruits. This can lead to serious problems because they miss out on essential nutrients.

Not enough research has been done on the long-term effects of the keto diet. While it is great for those who are diabetic or have epilepsy, it might not be good for those who want to a lose a little weight and stay healthy. If you don’t get enough nutrients you may become deficient and develop kidney stones, hepatic steatosis, and hypoproteinemia.

IIFYM
IIFYM stands for “If It Fits Your Macros.” Basically, you can eat anything you want, as long as it fits into your personal macronutrient ratio. Macros are carbs, fat, and protein. Everyone needs these three macros to live but some need more or less of each. So, instead of counting calories, you count macros.

The good news is that this diet is personalized to your body. Your weight, metabolism, and activity level are all considered. It also doesn’t strictly forbid any foods, which can be freeing. You can also do this diet with whatever food restrictions you may have, like being vegan or avoiding dairy.

The bad news is that no research has been done to prove that this diet is effective. It also doesn’t focus on micronutrients like vitamins and minerals, which are necessary for you to function at your best. There is also no focus on eating whole foods, so you can easily eat unhealthy foods and still hit your macro goals. You also have to pay close attention to everything you eat, which can be difficult.

Paleo
Paleo is probably the oldest “trendy” diet on this list. The goal of this diet is to eat whole foods and eliminate processed foods that contain grains, preservatives, dairy, sugar, legumes, and refined oils.

The good news about paleo is that its focus on whole foods is great for your body. Eliminating sugar and preservatives is always a smart choice.

The bad news is that paleo doesn’t have the research to back up its claims. Since there is so little dairy, there is not enough calcium in this diet, which can lead to poor bone health. Also, many dieters consider paleo to be low veggie and high meat, so it is bad for the environment and can be bad news for your health if you consume too much red or processed meats.

Plant-Based
Eating a plant-based diet is becoming more popular as people learn more about the effects the meat industry has on both animals and the environment. The goal of the plant-based diet is simple: eat lots of foods made from plants.

The good news about plant-based diets is that it can be done on just about any type of diet, including paleo and IIFYM. You can even do keto and still eat mostly plant-based foods. Plant-based diets are also great for the environment and give you phytonutrients that you simply cannot find in meat or dairy. You can also really improve your weight and overall health by eating mostly plants.

The bad news about plant-based diets is that there are a lot of myths surrounding them. People think that eating plant-based foods is expensive and protein-deficient. However, you can get plenty of protein on a plant-based diet and even build muscle. (Plant-based protein powders are awesome, by the way.) You can also buy beans and grains in bulk at very cheap prices to save on costs. And with some smart planning, you can find veggies and fruits on sale to round out your diet and keep you healthy.

All of these diets have their pros and cons, so you need to choose which one is best for you. Whatever diet you choose, make sure you are getting plenty of vegetables and fruits. The nutrients in these foods are vital for a healthy body. As long as you are smart about what to put in your body, you will be in good shape!
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