Which diet will you be following this year?
There are plenty of diets on offer out there, but which one will you be following?
Industrialisation and the global market have changed the way we thing about and consume food. The availability of cheap and easy calories has led to an obesity epidemic in the UK, with rates set to double by 2025.
A healthy diet is essentials to keeping our bulging waistline in check by with a quarter of people admitting they didn’t have the willpower to stay on their diet, how do you know which is the best one for you?
Meal delivery
People find these diets convenient as all your food is delivered straight to your door and require minimal preparation. Portion control is easy as everything comes pre-packaged, however both vegetables and fruit are not provided with the meals as they perish too easily. Great if you aren’t much of a cook.
Good Points
They’re convenient
Easy portion control
Wide variety of food
Bad points
Expensive
Doesn’t teach you how to cook healthily
No fruit and veg provided
Slimming Clubs
Popularised by diets such as Slimming World, these clubs offer members online forums and support in losing weight. Most slimming clubs offer their own branded low-calorie food which can be convenient. Regular meeting are also held to ensure that you remain motivated, one for those who struggle to lose weight alone.
Good Points
No banned food
Group sessions are motivating
Bad points
Time consuming
Pressure to buy branded food
Fasting – 5:2
These diets consist of eating ‘normally’ for 5 days a week then cutting your calorie intake to a quarter for two days. This extreme diet can shave off up to 1lb a week and has recently become very popular. Experts are divided on the health benefits/issues of the diet by it does appear to be effective.
Good points
Gradual weight loss
Lowers cholesterol and blood pressure
Bad points
Low blood sugar
Fasting days are very difficult
Headaches
Low carb/High protein
A very popular type of diet that allows you to eat as much protein and fat as you like (within the calorie allowance), but severely reduces your carbohydrate intake. Unlike a lot of weight loss plans, low carb diets don’t make you cut out red meat and dairy products, so it’s very popular with men.
Good points
Rapid weight loss
Cutting out alcohol
Bad points
Dizziness
Insomnia
Constipation
Hunger Control
A very convenient diet that involves eating little and often and having a balanced and varied 500-700 calorie meal in the evening. Dr Siegal’s Cookie Diet is a prime example, very popular in the US and Australia and is set to grow in the UK in 2014. It can deliver rapid weight loss whilst still indulging your sweet tooth. Good for those who wish to make long-term changes to eating habits.
Good points
Grab and go
Teaches how to make balanced meals
Sustainable weight loss
Reduces snacking
Bad points
Have to plan and prepare your own meal
Tagged in Nutrition Diet Healthy eating Healthy Diet Plan Weight loss