by Coach Manny Alayon
If you don’t want to continue reading, here’s the answer for the best diet for you: it’s the one you can stick with for life. If you want to understand more about diets themselves, let’s explore!
I don’t personally like the word “diet.” It seems to insinuate that it’s a termporary goal, instead of something long lasting and sustaining. But for the sake of all being on the same page, we will review some of the most popular diets and which one(s) may be best for you. The most popular diets inside of the fitness community are: Ketogenic, Paleo Diet, Intermittent Fasting, and Carnivore.
Ketogenic diet, also known as the “keto diet,” is a low-carb, high-fat diet that has been shown to help some people lose weight. The idea behind the diet is to put the body into a state of “ketosis,” in which it burns fat for fuel instead of carbohydrates. This is achieved by drastically reducing carbohydrate intake and replacing it with healthy fats, such as avocado, coconut oil, and nuts. Some people may find this diet difficult to stick to due to the limitations on carbohydrate-rich foods, but it can be an effective way to lose weight and improve certain health markers, such as blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
The Paleo diet is based on the idea that humans should eat the same foods that our ancestors ate before the advent of agriculture. This includes lean meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds, but excludes processed foods, grains, legumes, and dairy products. The idea behind the diet is that our bodies have not evolved to process the types of foods that have become common in modern diets, and that by eating a more “primal” diet, we can improve our health and lose weight. The paleo diet is considered a healthy option as it promotes consuming whole and nutrient-dense foods but it can be difficult to stick to if you’re vegetarian or vegan.
Intermittent fasting is a pattern of eating that involves alternating periods of eating with periods of fasting. There are several different variations of intermittent fasting, but some of the most popular include the 16/8 method (fasting for 16 hours and eating during an 8-hour window), the 5:2 diet (eating normally for 5 days and restricting calories for 2 non-consecutive days), and the Warrior Diet (eating small amounts of raw fruits and vegetables during the day and one large meal at night). Intermittent fasting has been shown to have a number of health benefits, including weight loss, improved insulin sensitivity, and reduced inflammation, but it may not be suitable for everyone and should be approached with caution if you have specific medical conditions.
Carnivore diet is similar to paleo but even more restrictive, it only allows the consumption of animal products, like meat, fish, eggs, and cheese and excludes all plant-based food. The theory behind this diet is that animal products are more nutrient-dense, and that eliminating plant-based foods eliminates anti-nutrients, toxins and allergens. Some proponents of the carnivore diet argue that it can help with weight loss, improved athletic performance and help with specific health conditions like autoimmunity, depression and anxiety. However, the carnivore diet is not nutritionally balanced, lacks fiber, and may have health risks associated with it. Experts recommend that you speak with a doctor or a dietitian before trying the carnivore diet.
All of these diets work in helping many lose weight and get into better health. But none of them do it from something magical or unique. The reason why people see success with weight lose isn’t because they are not eating carbs. It isn’t because you’re only eating meat. It isn’t because you’re just eating plants.
The real reason why people see success with weightloss with any diet is because of being in a caloric deficit. In other words, you’re just eating less than you were before. That’s it. The diet you should choose is the one that is most fitting for your lifestyle for the long run. It should align with your values, your emotions and feelings, your strengths, and also your weaknesses. Choosing which diet will work best is far more nuanced than it seems. And I believe it takes more than google magic or a friend’s success story. Your journey should be unique to you and set you up for success, not failure.
I recommmend reaching out to a professional coach or nutritionist to help guide you through this journey so you can be successful. As always, reach out to me for any guidance on this topic!
