The Composition of Diets
Although many factors, such as calorie ranges, activity levels, and hormones play into which eating style we should choose for ourselves, no diet will work unless we factor in the "calories in vs. calories out" equation.
The best diet has no name and is customized to the individual.
Here is a breakdown of the principles of each one:
|
DIET TYPE |
WHAT IT IS BASED ON |
|
CALORIE CONTROL OR RESTRICTION |
Point-based systems like the mass-marketed diets that no one ever seems to graduate from, calorie-cutting and counting, prescribed meal plans |
|
PROPORTION OF MACRONUTRIENTS |
Macronutrient composition, e.g., low-carb, low-fat, ketogenic, high-protein |
|
ELIMINATION OF FOOD GROUPS |
Food type/group choices and/or restriction, e.g., gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, paleo |
|
RESTRICTION BASED ON THE HOURS OF THE DAY |
Time-based restriction, e.g., fasting, time-restricted feeding, or cut-off times for meals/nutrients |
|
CRASH DIETS, DIURETICS, APPETITE SUPPRESSANTS |
Sugar-fast, juice detox, diet pills (diuretics that cause diarrhea and cause water-weight loss) |
|
IF IT FITS YOUR MACROS |
Degree of flexibility or rigidity of the dietary restraint |
|
FOOD STYLES |
Clean eating, whole foods only, no added sugars, no sugar at all, or the Mediterranean diet |