7 Most Popular Diets for Weight Loss in 2026

Forest plot depicting (a) short-term and (b) long-term weight loss outcomes in overweight and obese adults among eligible popular diets from the 2016 U.S. A meta-analysis by Johnston et al. (2014) previously attempted to answer the question of whether any popular diets were effective in producing weight loss over the short term (six months or less) and/or long term (12 months) . Despite their popularity among the general public, the efficacy of many popular diets for weight loss has been called into question by researchers, nutrition experts, and health care professionals 5,6,7. When eaten at the appropriate level, carbohydrates will not lead to weight gain on their own. Join over 1,000,000 people across Europe who have used Oviva to transform their health. You can track your daily macronutrients using the best weight loss apps. Macronutrients are carbohydrates, protein and fat. You can identify whole foods by thinking about foods that have a single ingredient and which are either unprocessed or minimally processed. The word diet isn’t just for those looking for a weight-loss plan. Unfortunately, research surrounding the sirtfood diet and its long-term effects is limited. After that, you can either repeat that process or stick to a diet rich in sirts while continuing to drink at least one juice per day. It’s a low-fat diet, meaning fat should make just up 10 percent of your daily calorie consumption; you’ll avoid saturated fats in favor of healthy fats like those found in fatty fish, nuts, and seeds. On this plan, you’ll prioritize plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and low-fat or nonfat dairy products, per the program’s website. The Ornish diet is an eating plan that focuses on sustainable, long-term lifestyle changes. Mayo Clinic Diet Cutting calories from food and drink and burning more calories by moving more are ways to do that. Weight loss comes down to burning more calories than are taken in from food. Keeping a healthy weight is a balancing act. Some, like the Mediterranean diet, describe a traditional way of eating from a specific region. To keep off extra weight, you should make these healthy changes a way of life. The effects of weight loss on postprandial secretion of gastrointestinal satiety hormones remain controversial . An even more important goal than weight loss is weight loss maintenance and prevention of weight regain. Setting realistic goals for weight loss is extremely important since the adoption of strict and difficult to reach goals may often lead to failure and discouragement . The present review aims to provide general principles and practical recommendations for the dietary management of obesity, and further explore the components of the optimal dietary intervention. Obesity and overweight affect together over a third of the world’s population today, and if current trends continue, an estimated 38% of the world’s adult population will be overweight and another 20% will be obese by 2030 . There’s been a huge push this year to lose body fat, instead of valuable muscle tissue. The study highlighted the benefits of adopting a plant-based diet for as little as 4 or 8 weeks. With the alarming rise of nonalcoholic fatty-liver disease, driven by sugar and carb consumption, people looked for easy ways to cut sugar from their diet. This diet is used to treat some types of epilepsy and is being studied for treating some types of cancer. Research shows that interest in rapid weight-loss diets, sometimes called fad diets, has increased over the past two decades. Rapid weight-loss diets may produce quick results, but most are hard to stick to over time, so the pounds often come back.

Find out if you're a healthy weight

  • When you are ready to get started, explore these five steps to guide you to a healthier weight.
  • This program builds you a custom plan in its app that is based on your lifestyle so you have a higher chance of being successful.
  • Karen E. Todd, RD, CSCS, EP-C, CISSN, is a registered dietitian and strength and conditioning specialist committed to evidence-based education in lifelong wellness, sports nutrition, and healthy aging.
  • He says, “I’ve never seen anything in my life strip fat off a human being faster than this.” Then he adds, “Do that for a month and watch body fat eviscerate.”
  • One study found following a Green Mediterranean Diet to be superior for supporting heart health compared with the traditional Mediterranean Diet or control group.
  • The verdict is still out regarding the diet’s long-term effectiveness with weight loss, but 8 to 12 weeks of intermittent fasting has been found to lead to a 3 to 8 percent reduction in body weight, according to a review.
  • And remember, the best diet for weight loss is the one that you can stick to in the long term.
He provides comprehensive care to help his patients increase both their healthspan and their lifespan. Tara Collingwood, RDN, is a board-certified specialist in sports dietetics, an American College of Sports Medicine–certified personal trainer, and a media spokesperson. In addition to writing for Everyday Health, she has also written for websites and publications like Food and Health Communications, Today's Dietitian, iVillage.com, and Rodale Press. Being healthy includes feeling good about yourself. Changing your eating and physical activity habits can be difficult at first. Some are excellent sources of dietary fibre, including wholegrain varieties, legumes, fruit and vegetables. But if these diets are so effective, why are there so many new ones? After spending most of his life overweight, he dropped 80 pounds and took control of his health and fitness. For more information, check out our 13 tips to lose weight sustainably and successfully. Most importantly, the best diet for weight loss will be unique to the individual. A 2017 evidence review (Emma J. Derbyshire) found that the Flexitarian Diet has health benefits related to weight loss, metabolic health and diabetes prevention.
  • “I have my clients learn how to choose foods they like, really taste each morsel going into their mouths, and chew deliberately.
  • Instead, this approach asks you to eat what you want but check in regularly with your body, so you know when you're full and need to stop eating.
  • U.S. News & World Report has also consistently listed the DASH diet as a top diet in its annual rankings.
  • The opinions and articles on this site are not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of health problems.
  • Consult a registered dietitian to customize a plan combining the best aspects of different diets for your unique goals.
  • She is active in the local Greater New York Dietetic Association and Long Island Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, too.
  • Some trendy diets might help you get a few pounds off in the short run.
  • When it comes to long-term weight loss, the best way to drop unwanted pounds (and keep them off) is to be consistent about calorie reduction.
  • It has been detailed in many books and is credited with starting the low-carb diet trend.
This diet also helps reduce LDL-C,86 but its effects on weight loss were small (–0.8 kg to –1.2 kg).87 These diets can lower the risk of ischemic heart disease, T2DM, and cancer.72 Vegetarian diets can reduce blood pressure,73 lipid profiles,74 and inflammatory biomarkers75 and improve glycemic control76 and other cardiometabolic risk factors.77 This diet excludes meat, fish, and poultry, but there are many variations of the diet, including lactovegetarians and lacto-ovo-vegetarians. Nothing is strictly forbidden with the low-GI diet, but high-GI foods such as white bread, bagels, cereals, mashed potatoes, pasta, and noodles should be replaced by low-GI foods. In summary, evidence shows that an energy deficit is the most important factor for weight loss, but metabolic adaptations to decrease energy intake can also lead to reduced energy expenditure. Meal replacements are used instead of “normal” food for one or more meals to reduce the daily calorie intake. The second phase focuses on teaching you about healthy food choices, and portion sizes, and incorporates exercise. From there, you can use the app to track your foods based on a red, yellow, and green light system. The Core option creates an individualized plan based on the personal questions you answer when setting up the app. You will also be able to set a good example for your children and look after your family by offering them healthy food. Many Australians eat more fat than they need, which can lead to weight gain and heart disease. “By consuming generous amounts of foods that are high in bulk but low in calories, such as vegetables and fruits, people can feel satisfied yet consume less calories” adds Hensrud, an internal medicine physician specializing in nutrition and weight management. Foods higher in protein, unsaturated fat, and fiber will be fewer Points, while foods higher in calories, added sugar and saturated fat will be more Points. “The dietary prescriptions that have been evaluated and compared are reduced calorie, or balanced calorie deficit, low fat, low carb, plant based and Mediterranean,” Forman, who is also a professor of psychology and brain sciences, adds. There's no one diet or weight-loss plan for everyone. Your healthcare professional might be able to connect you with weight-loss support groups or refer you to a registered dietitian. To do this, they may suggest that you use diets that get rid of fat or carbs. There’s no universal “best” diet, but rather, the most effective diet is one that aligns with your lifestyle, dietary preferences, and nutritional needs. It’s more about the type of carbs and the overall calorie intake. While exercise is not mandatory for weight loss, it’s highly beneficial. This pace helps ensure that you’re losing fat rather than muscle and water weight. It’s important to balance these protein sources with a variety of other nutrients to ensure a well-rounded diet. Overall, watermelon is a nutritious and delicious fruit to add to your diet — but you should be eating other foods too, as part of a balanced diet. The watermelon diet likely works because you’re severely restricting calories, which will contribute to weight loss. While this diet may lead to some weight loss, that probably has more to do with the fact that you are restricting your calories for the first phase of the plan. Anthony Puopolo II, MD, never realized food noise was fueling his weight gain until he got on the meds and dropped 40 stubborn pounds. They quiet the phenomenon of “food noise” or the constant mental chatter that keeps people thinking about and reaching for food. Cheri Jackson followed her own version of this protein-focused plan and lost 84 pounds. He says, “I’ve never seen anything in my life strip fat off a human being faster than this.” Then he adds, “Do that for a month and watch body fat eviscerate.” A healthier microbiome supports GLP-1 activity and improves insulin sensitivity. GLP-1 therapies alter the way food moves in the gut and its fermentation patterns. “GLP-1s are ushering in a transformational moment, changing how consumers worldwide eat and live,” Justin Siegel, the faculty director of IIFH. Research is still unraveling how GLP-1 drugs influence the body, from the gut and cardiovascular system to muscular and brain function. “Lowering prices might encourage more people who might benefit from these medications to start using them.” Your physical and mental health is more precious and important than shedding some pounds. So, keep it simple and eat everything you like without stressing out. Forget about the popular fad diet you see on the internet. Eating in an all-or-nothing manner may make some meals, including essential peptides, appear like enemies, which can negatively impact your mental and physical health. Of course, consuming an excessive quantity of anything delicious may harm your health. While you are likely to lose weight while following the SlimFast diet, the plan’s reliance upon SlimFast shakes may be unappealing or repetitive if packaged drinks like these don’t appeal to you. Each meal has a fixed amount of calories based on your age, your sex, and any dietary requirements you may have. The idea is these fiber-, protein-, and fat-rich foods promote a feeling of fullness, so you're less likely to overeat. If this isn’t your first foray into researching different types of diets, you may already be familiar with intermittent fasting, also known as IF. Of course, you should always consult a doctor, but eating a wider variety of food or taking a supplement may help with any deficiencies. Studies have also shown that the quality of food is just as, if not more, important than the number of macronutrients (protein, carbohydrates, and fats) you take in. The key to losing weight is to burn more calories than you eat and drink. A healthy diet is an important part of a weight-loss program. Some people may need more exercise than this to lose weight and keep it off. These are known as plant-based foods. If you have a health condition, it is a good idea to talk with your provider before starting this or any diet plan to lose weight. Some fad diets also severely limit calories to achieve rapid weight loss. These diets are most often chosen by people with obesity who want to lose weight quickly. To lose weight this quickly you must eat very few calories. There was a time when simply eating a little less or exercising a few more times a week would make a difference in weight. They note that pairing these medications with precision nutrition and lifestyle strategies ensures that weight loss translates into lasting health. While some evidence suggests protective effects, rapid weight loss and reduced nutrient intake can compromise bone density. Lean muscle mass is the weight of the body that is not fat — including muscles, bones, organs and more. Appetite suppression helps with weight loss, but it can also change food preferences. Tips and advice on healthy eating and managing your weight. Find out what calories are, why it can be useful to count them and how doing so can help you lose weight. For those seeking flexibility, the Flexitarian Diet and Intermittent Fasting offer adaptable eating styles tailored to busy low-calorie diet lifestyles. Plant-based diets, like Vegan and Vegetarian, emphasize sustainability and disease control while supporting long-term health benefits. Eating breakfast and avoiding late-night eating should be considered important dietary strategies not only for weight loss, but also for metabolic health and are based on the physiologic clock. Intermittent fasting focuses on the time window of eating instead of calorie calculations or macronutrient composition, helping people to restrict food intake without having to count calories and to avoid late-night snacking. Estimates are that our ancestors took in 35% of their calories from fat, 35% as carbohydrates (mostly fruits and vegetables), and 30% from protein.65 This diet advises consuming lean meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, and nuts while avoiding grains, dairy products, processed foods, and added sugar and salt. If you want to kick intermittent fasting up a notch, you may consider the Dubrow diet, popularized by the husband-and-wife duo Terry and Heather Dubrow. Each subsequent phase becomes more lenient, and the diet emphasizes lean protein, unsaturated fats, and low-glycemic carbs such as nonstarchy vegetables. “The low-carb diet is best for individuals who truly enjoy savory diets that involve more animal-based products and less sweet, refined carbohydrates,” notes Kyle. Very low-carb diets can also be dangerous for people with diabetes who are on insulin due to the risk for hypoglycemia. Following this type of eating plan can result in certain nutritional deficiencies, and children, as well as pregnant or lactating women, should avoid it. Because the MIND diet focuses on cutting unhealthy fats and emphasizes eating whole, fresh foods, people who follow this eating pattern may lose weight while doing so. Although it is clear that calorie restriction produces short-term weight loss, a growing body of research supports low-carbohydrate, high fat dietary approaches for healthy weight management . The idea is that you will lose weight by limiting your calorie intake while also eating whole foods that can improve your overall health. The low-GI diet offers benefits in managing T2DM and decreasing body weight.68 However, one study found no differences in weight among low-GI diets and a diet based on healthy nutritional recommendations among overweight adolescent girls.69 The low-GI diet also does not provide a complete nutritional picture and does not include recommendations for daily intake of fat, protein, or fiber.
  • Being overweight or obese increases our risk of many diseases.
  • In fact, some say the keto diet is the new Atkins, though these popular low-carb plans are markedly different.
  • Always include some protein – like beans, pulses, fish, eggs, lean meat or other types.
  • To this end, various dietary plans are critically discussed, such as low-fat diets, low-carbohydrate diets, high-protein diets, formula diets, Mediterranean diet, and diets with intermittent energy restriction, to define the optimal dietary approach for a safe, effective, and sustainable weight loss in overweight and obese adults.
  • Catch is, intermittent fasting performs just as well as other calorie-restricted diets.
  • Many Australians eat more fat than they need, which can lead to weight gain and heart disease.
  • This involves 2 days a week of fasting or VLCD and 5 days a week of eating your normal diet.
  • News, in 2023 WW began offering access to weight loss medications such as GLP-1 receptor agonists for eligible users through its WeightWatchers GLP-1 Program.

Purpose of Review

Find information to choose weight-loss strategies that are healthy, effective, and safe for you. What you should know about popular dietsHow to evaluate claims made by weight-loss products and diets. Choosing a safe and successful weight-loss programHow to choose a program that may help you lose weight safely and keep it off over time. Human chorionic gonadotropin, or HCG, is a hormone produced during pregnancy by the placenta after implantation, and doctors sometimes prescribe it for fertility issues. The Dukan diet consists of four phases, each with a rigid set of rules. While it’s true you might be successful in losing weight, it likely won’t last. The personal carbohydrate balance is the number of grams of net carbs you can eat each day without gaining or losing weight. The Atkins Diet says its approach to carbs will burn off your body's fat stores, control your blood sugar and help you achieve optimal health. Check with your health care provider before starting any weight-loss diet, especially if you have any health conditions, such as diabetes. A free 12 week programme for football fans who want to lose weight and improve their lifestyle. There is lots of help and support available to lose weight. Making small, simple changes to what and how much you are eating and drinking can really help you lose the pounds. Engaging with nutrition experts and registered dietitians can help customize these approaches to suit individual health issues and food preferences. They are high in fiber, unsaturated fats, and essential nutrients, supporting long-term health while lowering the risk of chronic diseases. In a study conducted by Gardner et al. , 79 overweight and obese premenopausal women achieved mean weight losses of 2.4% (2.0 kg) after six months and 1.8% (1.5 kg) after 12 months. In this study, participants had mean weight losses of 3.4% (3.4 kg) after six months and 3.2% (3.2 kg) after 12 months. The Paleolithic Diet produced an average weight loss of 9.0% (7.9 kg) after six months and 10.6% (9.2 kg) after 12 months. In this study, the Ornish Diet produced an average weight loss of 3.5% (3.6 kg) after six months and 3.2% (3.3 kg) after 12 months.

4.4. Mediterranean Diet

Talk with your health care provider before starting a weight-loss diet. But if you follow a high-protein diet for a long time, there are some health issues that may come up. But it is possible to have a high-protein diet that includes all the food groups. 1 serve of fruit (eg. 1 cups diced watermelon/rockmelon or berries) + 20g reduced fat cheese. Unless a health condition requires avoiding certain things, no food group needs to be off the table. Each food group plays a role in providing the body with vitamins, fiber, calcium, and other nutrients. They advise people to choose a plan they can stick to, while emphasizing nutritional balance. “Diets such as the Mediterranean diet are sustainable, have been shown to improve health, and aren’t restrictive or short term,” says Asche. With this approach, plant proteins, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and fruits and veggies will be staples, with the occasional meat dish thrown in. Plant-based eating can take many forms, from vegan to vegetarian to pescatarian and flexitarian, which contains some meat. Likeability is also really important because chances are if you're not enjoying the foods you're eating you won't make long-term lifestyle changes. This can help establish the healthy habit of picking foods that have a lower caloric impact, so you can eat a higher volume. The idea is that after consuming more nutrient-dense foods, you'll naturally reduce the number of foods that are higher in calories, saturated fats, and added sugars. Nothing is officially off limits here, but the goal is to increase plant-based foods over time that way other foods are eaten less frequently or in smaller portions.
Side effects of very-low-calorie diets
Consumption of red meat and sweets with added sugar or honey is kept to a minimum, and dairy intake is moderate and consists of high-quality sources such as yogurt and cheeses. Evidence-based research has linked the Mediterranean diet with longer life expectancies. That said, here’s a list of the more popular diets and what they’re all about. If someone eats burgers every meal, that’s their diet. Caloric restriction is often the assumption when someone says, “I’m on a diet,” however, we’ll be discussing a variety of diets. Not only is it designed to help you lose weight, but it also aspires to help you feel better while still enjoying delicious foods. We spent time researching the best diets for weight loss and compiled a list of our 10 favorites in this guide so you can evaluate which plan is right for you. This makes them well suited to a healthy eating plan. You may be looking for a fast way to lose weight and there's no shortage of 'fad diets' around. ’ phase, people take these habits and turn them into a long-term change program,” Hensrud explains. Digital resources, including food tracking, group coaching, meal plans and recipes, and other educational tools, are also available. “I know many individuals who have had success on WeightWatchers, perhaps because no food or beverage is off limits,” Michelle Jaelin, registered dietitian, tells TODAY.com. Before starting any new weight loss programs, consult your doctor. National Diabetes Prevention Program
Pros & cons of some popular extreme weight-loss diets
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn't need to approve dietary supplements. Some of the most popular supplements claim to improve diet, boost energy, build muscle or burn fat. The promise of fast and easy weight loss is hard to resist. These foods may make your risk for heart disease go up.
  • Rapid weight loss is more about cutting calories than exercising.
  • One example is a very low-calorie diet that you do under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
  • DASH is a healthy diet that balances calorie intake while focusing on whole, unprocessed foods to lower blood pressure naturally.
  • But at 1,000 calories per day (and, later, 1,500 calories per day), you’re falling below U.S.
  • All the adults in the trial participated in a diet and exercise program.
  • Be kind to yourself, if things don’t go according to plan, keep trying.
  • Having more calories than your body needs each day can lead to weight gain.
  • If you opt to follow a low-carb diet, think about the fats and proteins you choose.
Before choosing a health or weight loss approach, it’s important to do some self-evaluation by asking yourself some questions. “Timed eating offers a simple structure that some find easier to follow than traditional calorie counting.” Intermittent fasting is the practice of alternating between periods of eating and fasting. “Its biggest benefit is that it is primarily plant-based, with lower saturated and animal fats, which can help improve cholesterol levels in women as they age,” Dr. Holte says. Designed to protect your brain health as you age, the MIND diet combines aspects of the Mediterranean and DASH diets. And a short trial like this may miss side effects that only show up with long-term use. All the adults in the trial participated in a diet and exercise program. For instance, stores sell raspberry ketone as a weight-loss product with clinical proof. Small imbalances over long periods of time can cause you to become overweight or obese. Dieting can be harmful because our body responds to these periods of semi-starvation by lowering its metabolic rate. Being overweight or obese increases our risk of many diseases. If you need help managing your weight, you might be able to refer yourself directly to services that can help you, without seeing a GP. You'll need your height and weight to calculate your BMI. When you continue to treat it with suspicion and control, the natural reaction is resistance. After age 40, the body carries many responsibilities, years of sleep deprivation, and invisible pressures. Getting enough sleep not only makes you feel healthier. This is a sign that the body is being pushed too hard and not being supported. These quick-fix diets will help you shed some pounds initially, but it is often just water and muscle weight. You must have seen people advertising fad diets on your social media feeds. But much more important is the observation that most people seem to find diets hard to maintain. So, if you had to pick a diet to maximize weight loss at one year, Ornish comes out on top by a hair. Atkins looks great, as does something called “volumetrics,” which is a “moderate macronutrient” diet that encourages eating vegetables and whole grains. People who make the above dietary choices may find it easier to control their body weight without necessarily counting calories or limiting portion sizes daily. The major finding of this study was that both diets delivered a significant weight loss of 5.3 kg for low-fat and 6 kg for low-carbohydrate over 12 months with similar improvement in waist circumference, body fat, fasting glucose and blood pressure. All participants underwent an intensive dietician-guided training to eat healthy, minimally processed, whole foods cooked at home, without any caloric limits. Taken together, higher-protein diets may facilitate weight loss when compared to lower-protein diets in the short-term (up to 6 months), but longer-term data are limited and inconsistent . Some other meta-analyses have suggested that low-carbohydrate diets without energy restriction are as effective as energy-restricted low-fat diets in weight loss, emphasizing potential favorable effects on triglycerides and high-density-lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels .

References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

  • Keep in mind that you may need more physical activity than usual to lose weight and keep it off.
  • That's why it's more important to be able to maintain weight loss.
  • Depending on your weight-loss goals, you can start at any of the first three phases.
  • On the other hand, other meta-analyses have shown that low-carbohydrate diets confer equal weight loss short-term as isoenergetic balanced or low-fat diets .
  • The Atkins Diet also notes that you may lose water weight at first.
  • The first time you log into the MyFitnessPal app, you answer questions about your goals and supply information such as your weight, height, sex, and age.
  • We also know that the way we think and process our emotions is affected by inadequate sleep, so it’s easy to connect this with an impaired ability to make reasonable choices in many areas of life, including with food.
  • The goal of Intermittent Fasting is to limit or completely eliminate calories during specified hours each day, which can help decrease your appetite by slowing your metabolism.
  • Its emphasis on plant-based foods with the occasional inclusion of animal products makes it both practical and versatile.
You could lift weights, use exercise bands or do pushups. Work up to at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise most days of the week. You may eat too much without knowing it. It's a good idea to be mindful while you eat. For instance, "Walk every day for 30 minutes" is an action goal. Depending on your weight-loss goals, you can start at any of the first three phases. Once you're at your goal weight, the Atkins Diet also explains it will help you find your personal carbohydrate balance. The Atkins Diet doesn't require calorie counting or portion control. The Atkins Diet says that it leads to blood sugar imbalances, weight gain and heart problems. It has been detailed in many books and is credited with starting the low-carb diet trend. All identified clinical trials met our short- and long-term criteria listed above. For the purposes of this review, clinical trials of between three and six months in duration were considered short-term, and clinical trials one year or longer were considered long-term (no studies were longer than six months but less than one year). D Healthy fats may refer to monounsaturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, and/or omega-3 fatty acids. On this membership-based program, you’ll choose your meals according to the list of approved foods, including plenty of objectively healthy fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and low- or nonfat dairy products. There isn’t an official “Asian diet,” but this eating plan is based on the traditional diets of people living in Asian countries. Depending on what your diet was before, you may lose weight on the plan, particularly if it helps decrease calorie intake. This is a plan that’s focused on eating more nutritious foods, rather than overt weight loss. It sounds simple, but it can be a sustainable way to approach healthy eating, for weight loss or otherwise, say Evelyn Tribole, RDN, a private practitioner in Newport Beach, California, and Elyse Resch, RDN, who coined the term “intuitive eating” in 1995. Celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak created the plan, which is essentially a three-phase liquid diet consisting of smoothies and moderate exercise. The diet doesn’t take chronic health conditions into consideration — and you might develop nutritional deficiencies based on its restrictive nature. The diet claims better digestion and absorption of foods, although there’s no scientific evidence to back this up. For instance, if you’re type O, you’d eat a high-protein diet focusing on poultry, fish, and other lean meats. That's part of the reason why there's little scientific proof to show that weight-loss supplements work. They aren't meant to prevent, treat or cure medical conditions. Dietary supplements often have vitamins, minerals, fiber, caffeine, herbs and other plants in them. If you limit carbs in the long term, it may cause you to have too little of some vitamins or minerals and to have digestive issues. But most studies have found that at 12 or 24 months, the benefits of a low-carb diet aren't very large. Remember, the best way to lose weight is to do it slowly by making small, achievable changes to your eating and physical activity habits. Once you have made the decision to lose weight, it’s a good idea to understand your current situation – what are your eating and exercise habits? Dietitians can guide you to a healthy way of eating that is based on the latest research and tailored to suit your health and lifestyle. While many of these diets may help you to lose weight while you’re following them, as soon as you resume your usual lifestyle, the weight starts to creep back on. Start moving more and eating healthier with the free NHS Weight Loss Plan or sign-up for a weight loss support group. The most effective way to lose weight is to follow a program that is sustainable for you to follow consistently. Losing weight quickly is never the answer because it can put your health in danger and you're more likely to gain the weight back once you stop following the diet. Another way to feel accountable and connect with others is to choose a diet for weight loss that has a community you can participate in. Overall, you'll want to find something that is going to help you reach your weight loss and overall health goals.

#9. Fat-infused smoothies

While certain features of the app-based program, such as food logging and glucometer syncing, can be helpful, you don’t need this specific app to do those things. “The Lion diet is highly restrictive and lacks vital nutrients for health, making it neither safe nor healthy,” says Hultin. It’s also not suitable for children, women who are pregnant or nursing, or people who have a history of disordered eating. Unfortunately, there is no evidence via clinical studies that the Galveston diet eases menopausal symptoms or causes weight loss. Body parts Don’t remove.” For help, foods like pistachios, berries and avocado can quash cravings while being low-sugar snack options. Dr. Avena’s plan, outlined in her new book Sugarless, is about how “slowly identifying, replacing and reducing sugar will help you break your dependency.” The goal is to “de-sweeten” your diet. “People are short-changing themselves on fats in their smoothie recipes,” says integrative physician and weight-loss pro Eric J. Rosenbaum, MD. The highest-scoring foods include cruciferous, root or leafy veggies; onions and mushrooms; citrus and berries; legumes; nuts and seeds; and seafood. Popular Diet Plans Backed by Some Scientific Evidence Also, for individuals who prefer a plant-based diet, combining different sources of plant proteins can ensure you get all the essential amino acids. Cottage cheese is particularly high in protein while being low in fat and calories. Fish is not only high in protein but also contains healthy fats like omega-3 fatty acids. Choose nutrient-dense foods and balance your diet to support your overall health and well-being. “Effective programs provide nutrition skills, and help you set weight, activity and energy intake, and make it reasonably easy to track your behavior against your goals, including tracking everything you eat,” Forman says. Look for plans that include foods you enjoy, but make sure the plans are balanced with enough nutrients, according to Mayo Clinic guidelines. “The main factor seems to be which dietary pattern allows a given person to feel satisfied and is sustainable over the very long term,” Forman explains. But over time, the body learns to adapt by slowing down. Only then will the body begin to feel safe enough to change. After age 40, the body no longer responds well to prolonged stress. The body doesn’t always respond to effort the way we expect. While GLP-1 drugs suppress appetite, they also create new nutritional challenges. Dietary guidelines recommend vegetarian-patterned diets.78 A systemic review suggested that vegetarian diets reduce mean body weight, but the studies are few and of variable quality.79 Since fish and seafood are excluded, this diet is low in omega-3 fats. The amount you eat is just as important as what you eat – no matter how healthy your diet is, you can still put on weight if you are eating too much. Find out what a healthy diet looks like when you're trying to lose weight, and see our tips, tricks and advice to help you stick to one. Low-carb diets that focus on healthy sources of carbs, fat and protein may help lower the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. “There are many health benefits of consuming more plant-based foods, such as a reduction in chronic disease.” A plus of this eating plan is that it takes a whole-foods approach, and calls for avoiding processed and packaged foods, along with sources of refined carbs and desserts in general. The verdict is still out regarding the diet’s long-term effectiveness with weight loss, but 8 to 12 weeks of intermittent fasting has been found to lead to a 3 to 8 percent reduction in body weight, according to a review. (A pro tip? If you're planning on doing the diet, check out a complete keto food list and read up on the healthiest fats for keto diet followers.) Keyto users track foods using the red, yellow, and green light system in the app. This is an optimal choice if you are looking for a heart-healthy Mediterranean-style program. The first phase starts by introducing five healthy habits and aims to break five common habits. They also have an extensive food database, and if you're still having trouble finding a food item, there's an option to create your own.
  • The Flexitarian Diet is particularly appealing for those transitioning from a meat-heavy lifestyle to a more plant-based diet.
  • Some diet plans, such as the MIND diet and the DASH diet, are meant to focus on certain areas of health, and weight loss may be a side effect.
  • Www.eatright.org/health/wellness/diet-trends/staying-away-from-fad-diets.
  • “A lot of people think the foundation of a paleo diet is high-fat meat, but I suggest that it’s vegetables,” says Hultin.
  • How many calories you consume is also up to your discretion, which is something to consider when choosing this diet.
  • By following these guidelines, you can create a calorie deficit for weight loss without feeling starved or sacrificing your health.
  • One of the reasons why people give up these diets is the sheer boredom of following an artificial type of diet or their craving to get back to their normal diet habits.
  • When stress decreases, sleep is prioritized, eating and exercising become more balanced and healthy, and the body no longer has a reason to cling to excess fat.
  • Keeping a healthy weight is a balancing act.
Some actionable diets can be used for short bouts of time to reach a specific goal, however, your long term dietary plan — your diet — should be something you can healthily maintain. Now, there’s a seemingly endless number of ways one can eat to lose weight, gain muscle, boost focus, and feel healthier while tackling the best weight loss programs. Physical activity and energy expenditure play also an important role in weight loss since sedentary individuals need to reduce their energy intake even when consuming a healthy diet to achieve and maintain weight loss. The latter can both promote satiety and provide a great variety of beneficial micronutrients. Although obesity is a complex and multifactorial disease with genetic, behavioral, socioeconomic, and environmental origins, it is also preventable and treatable to a great extent . The human body is designed for movement and any physical activity brings benefits. You can increase your activity levels by simply increasing movement throughout the day. Don’t change everything at once – a few small tweaks to your diet and movement in the beginning can make a big difference. By better understanding the most common diet plan types, you can decide which one works best for your healthy lifestyle and overall goals (whether that’s to slim down, bulk up, or be healthier). (1) The global market for weight loss dietary supplements was estimated at $43.9 billion in 2022 and is projected to increase to a staggering $135.7 billion by 2030. A 2017 study found that approximately 42% of the general population reported trying to lose weight during the previous year, only fueling the already intense weight loss industry. Most importantly, the best diet is a diet that people can comply with for a long period of time without significant weight regain, so whatever facilitates this effort is greatly appreciable. There is also research to back up that Jenny Craig can help people lose weight over 12 months. This weight loss program requires you to purchase food from their meal plan, which are prepared meals, snacks, bars, or shakes. Lightly processed foods, such as frozen fruit and canned beans, can also be nutritious and convenient and help you stick to a healthier diet. This eating plan is more of a guideline than a diet with set rules. Rather, the diet is a call to prioritize whole foods in their least processed form (like fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, lean meats, nuts, and seeds) and avoid ultra-processed ones. They are low in calories and high in fibre – they make great snacks too. If you have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes - get free NHS support online to help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight. You may prefer using one of these weight loss plans. Find your local authority and look for weight management or healthy lifestyle support in your area. “We help our patients create plans they can stick to, and usually that goes back to calories in versus calories out,” Crowell says. Because so many factors affect whether a diet plan is right for you, it’s important to talk to a health care provider or weight-loss specialist before choosing. Diet and nutrition specialists say that some of the popular diets that promise fast and easy weight loss can be useful in cases where a medical condition requires it. Juicing or detoxification diets tend to work because they lead to extremely low caloric intake for short periods of time, however tend to lead to weight gain once a normal diet is resumed. The purpose of this paper is to review the epidemiology of obesity and the most recent literature on popular fad diets and exercise regimens that are used for weight loss.