As if dieting wasn’t already complicated, 2019 has shined a light on a number of trendy options. You’ve heard these terms before – Paleo, Keto, Whole30, Atkins, South Beach -– maybe you’ve even tried them. But, before you can make a decision about what’s the best option for YOU, you should truly understand the nuances and benefits of each régime.
For my fellow gals that are over the age of 50 – we have to be conscious of what our bodies need, as well as any health concerns we may have. That’s why I’m going to talk you through these top diet trends of 2019.
follow along with me...
1. Whole30 – The Whole 30 diet has been around for quite some time, but over the past year, it’s been adopted by fitness bloggers everywhere. It’s not an easy one – in order to partake in the Whole 30, you must give up all grains, sugar, alcohol, legumes, dairy, carrageenan, MSG, sulfites and baked goods or treats.
Now, I know what you’re thinking – what can I eat? Believe it or not, there are tons of Whole30 friendly recipes and shopping lists available for you on the internet. And the food can be seriously delicious. The benefit here is that during the 30 days, you’re allowing your body to completely purge itself and recover from the most inflammatory and craving-inducing foods out there. At the end of the month, you should feel phenomenal and be more inclined to practice healthy habits. I recommend this option for any of you ladies who suffer from stomach ailments.
2. Keto – the Keto diet has taken off this year. It seems like everywhere I turn, people are shouting their love for this diet from the mountaintops. It basically consists of a low-carb and high protein and fat diet. It’s similar to the Atkins diet, which we’ll get into in just a second.
On the Keto diet, you have to avoid most sugary foods, including a majority of fruits, beans or legumes, and most alcohol. While you’re encouraged to consume a high volume of fat, you have to be selective in the type of fat you consume – you must avoid over processed fats like vegetable oil. Keto is a great option for those who are super focused on dropping those pounds fast.
3. Paleo – the Paleo diet isn’t too far off from the Whole30 diet. The entire Paleo concept is based off of the notion that we should eat as our ancestors did – simply. Meat, fish, veggies, nuts, eggs, fruit and certain oils like avocado or coconut are all paleo -friendly. Similar to the Whole30, the Paleo diet restricts people from consuming dairy, grains, legumes and over processed foods.
The main difference between the Whole30 and the Paleo diet is that the Whole30 is an elimination diet that lasts 30 days. After that time period, individuals are encouraged to reintroduce banned foods into their diets to identify what triggers their ailments– whether it be stomach issues, skin issues, etc. The Paleo diet is a lifestyle choice, and is a great option for those of us who are after improved heart health.
4. Atkins – the Atkins diet is another one that has been around for a while, and it’s seen a resurgence in popularity in 2019! The four-part plan works like this – for two weeks, you go high-fat and high-protein, restricting your carb intake to under 20 grams total for that time period. Once you pass the two-week phase, you can slowly add in some low-carb variables like certain nuts, fruits and vegetables. After doing this, you should notice that you’re losing weight. If you’re around your goal weight, you can start slowly adding other carbs into your diet over time. Once you’ve hit your actual goal weight, you can eat as many healthy carbs as your heart desires – as long as it doesn’t push you to regain your lost weight.
The Atkins diet is another great option for those of us that are truly focused on losing weight, and because it follows a phased-approach, it may be more sustainable than the keto diet.
5. South Beach – quite a few celebrities follow the South Beach diet. When you sign up for this diet, you actually sign up to receive prepared meals, which will come straight to your front door. (You can just choose to make your own food.) You’ll eat six of these high-protein, low-carb, low-sugar meals a day. The South Beach diet encourages followers to eat smaller portions more frequently throughout the day in order to ramp up the metabolism.
The South Beach diet is great for dropping weight in a pinch, and it’s ideal for those who live a busy lifestyle – but it can be pricey.
TO SUM UP
All of these diet plans are based on a high protein, low carbohydrate model. It’s important to read up on any nutrition program you chose to follow. And as always, make sure to check with your physician before embarking on a new eating plan.
HAVE YOU TRIED ANY OF THE ABOVE DIETS? PLEASE SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES AND PERSPECTIVE IN THE COMMENT SECTION BELOW.
Are you struggling to maintain your weight loss? Then this post is for you: KEEP THAT PESKY WEIGHT OFF WITH EASE.
