2019 Diet Crazes

New diet trends are plentiful, promising everything from weight loss and more energy to optimum health. While some are new on the scene, other diets have been around for quite a while, steadily growing in popularity over the years. And many people claim that certain eating plans have been life-changing. So here are some of the most popular diets trending in 2019.

Whole 30

Whole 30is a month-long elimination diet, where you cut out four food groups–dairy, sugar, legumes, and grain. This means bread, cheese, alcohol, baked goods, candy, chips, and even quinoa are off the table for 30 days. You then add these foods back in one group at a time. People who manage to stay the course say they’ve lost weight, feel more energetic and are in a better mood. There are also claims this diet helps digestive problems.

Vegan

More and more people are opting for a plant-based diet because of ethical concerns –animal welfare, environmental factors, and sustainability issues. And there are also medically proven health benefits to boot. Veganism is a compassionate lifestyle choice, and followers avoid meat, fish, dairy, eggs and even honey –basically, anything derived from animals. Vegans also refuse to wear leather, fur, and silk. Health benefits of a well-planned vegan diet include weight loss, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and lower rates of type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

The PaleoDiet

The Paleo diet, also known as the Caveman, Paleolithic, or Stone Age diet, is comparable to the diet of prehistoric humans. It involves eating only natural foods that our hunter-gathering ancestors would have access to, including meat (wild game or grass-fed animals), fish, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. This diet excludes foods that became common with the emergence of agriculture 10,000 years ago, such as dairy, legumes, and grains. The aim is to return to a more natural way of eating. Studies have shown many health benefits from following this eating plan, including weight loss, better blood pressure control, lower triglycerides, and improved glucose tolerance.

The KetoDiet

The Keto Diet, short for ketogenic diet, is a high-fat and low-carb diet. 70% to 90% of calories come from fat, 15% from protein and only 5% from carbohydrates. The goal is to induce the state of ketosis in the body –basically mimicking the state of starvation. This diet cuts out grains, sugar, fruit, and tubers while stocking up on meat, eggs, leafy greens, above ground veggies like broccoli, high-fat dairy, nuts and seed, and avocado and berries. The pros include dramatic weight loss and it’s been shown to improve triglyceride levels. The diet has also been used since the early twentieth century to successfully treat epilepsy.

The Mediterranean Diet

The Mediterranean Diet is the best overall and easiest to follow in 2019, according to U.S. & World Report. More of a lifestyle than a diet, this way of eating reflects the cuisines and traditions of Mediterranean countries like Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Turkey, and southern France. The emphasis is on fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans, herbs, spices, nuts, healthy fats such as olive oil, fish twice a week, moderate portions of eggs, dairy, occasional poultry, and limited amounts of red meat. You can even throw in a daily glass of red wine! It’s not only delicious, but the Mediterranean Diet is also super healthy, reducing the risk of heart disease, depression, and cardiovascular disease, lowering cholesterol, and you’ll probably also lose weight.