A healthy lifestyle has to start somewhere – and that includes the foods we consume to fuel our bodies. Check out some highlights of the most popular healthy lifestyle diets below. See how your mind and body reacts to these!
The Mediterranean Diet
Think Italy. Think Greece. Think about foods that are prominent in those cuisines. The Mediterranean Diet focuses on consuming lots of fruit, veggies, nuts, seeds, whole grains, seafood, and legumes. It also takes a liking to extra-virgin olive oil. Chicken, eggs, and dairy can be consumed in moderation, while red meats, processed foods, trans fats, and foods with excess sugar are limited. Adhering to this specific diet promotes a healthier lifestyle while also lowering your risk of heart disease and reducing overall body inflammation and stress in the long run.
The Paleo Diet
Let’s go back in time to the Paleolithic Era, when the paleo diet originated. Unfortunately, today’s advancements in farming and producing have changed how the body functions. As a result, relatively new foods have contributed to diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. A paleo diet is based on lean meats, fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, and fish, all of which could be hunted or gathered back in the day. Simply don’t eat anything that is processed, like dairy products or refined grains.
The Keto Diet
The keto diet makes you calorie-conscious by cutting out food that’s high in calories. It also limits carbohydrates and encourages excess proteins. Good carbs are okay, like certain vegetables; bad carbs must be avoided at all costs. Examples include sugar, soda, white bread, and pastries. Though many follow this diet solely for weight loss, it also has some health benefits. People with epilepsy, heart disease, certain brain diseases, and acne can benefit from the keto diet.
The Vegetarian Diet
A vegetarian diet almost always consists of veggies, beans, peas, grains, seeds, fruit, tofu, soy, and nuts. What type of vegetarian you want to be will depend on what additional foods you can consume. If you go the vegan route, stay away from all meat and animal products like milk and eggs. Going down the lacto-vegetarian road will allow you to keep dairy products in your diet. A lacto-ovo vegetarian diet will branch you out into dairy and eggs. If you choose to go with a vegetarian diet, some nutritional needs may not be met if you’re not consuming a variety of foods. Protein, iron, calcium, zinc, and vitamin B12 must be a part of your diet, and if they’re not, daily supplements can take their place.
Have you tried any of the above diets? Share your experiences with us in the comments below!