1. The Paleo Diet
How It Works
The Paleo diet is a blend of vegan and Mediterranean diets. You can consume natural and fresh produce and also grass-fed meat, free-range eggs, and organic dairy products. You cannot consume any junk and processed foods. This is the trick that has helped many dieters lose weight without going on a crazy diet. As the vegan diet, the Paleo diet is a lifestyle. You will look and feel great once you start following a Paleo lifestyle.
Weight Loss
2-3 pounds per month.
Who Should Follow
- If you want to lose weight.
- If you want to sustain your weight loss.
- If you want to start eating clean.
Who Should Not Follow
- If you want to lose weight quickly for an upcoming occasion or a surgery.
Advantages
- Aids weight loss.
- Lowers cholesterol and boosts immunity.
- Helps build lean muscle mass.
Disadvantages
- The ingredients may be expensive.
2. The Vegan Diet
How It Works
A vegan diet is more of a lifestyle than a diet. People who follow a vegan diet do it either to fight for the rights of animals or help prevent environmental deterioration. If you are on a vegan diet, you can consume only plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, lentils, starch, herbs, spices, nuts, and oils. No animal products (like meat, milk, cheese, and yogurt) are allowed. You gain numerous health benefits by completely eliminating animal products from your diet – weight loss being one of them. However, do not confuse the vegan diet with a vegetarian diet.
Weight Loss
2-3 pounds per month.
Who Should Follow
- If you want to boycott all animal products.
- If you are passionate about fighting for the environment.
- If you want to take a break from high-animal protein foods.
Who Should Not Follow
- If you are not completely convinced yet about going vegan.
- If you want to lose weight quickly for a special occasion.
Advantages
- Sustainable weight loss.
- Consuming all natural and fresh produce.
- No processed foods.
- Better immunity.
- Keeps your gut healthy.
- Help reduce toxin build-up.
Disadvantages
- Slow weight loss.
- May not be sustainable for regular animal product consumers.
- May not be feasible to get vegan food everywhere.
- May cause muscle loss due to lack of adequate protein and different types of amino acids that we get from animal products.
3. The Dukan Diet
How It Works
The Dukan diet was created by Dr. Pierre Dukan. If you are a meat lover, this diet is for you. The Dukan diet is a high-protein, low-carb diet that aids rapid weight loss without the risk of gaining the weight back immediately. Proteins take longer to digest, so you will not feel hungry frequently. It works in four phases – the first two phases aid rapid weight loss and the last two help maintain the weight loss.
Weight Loss
You can lose up to 10 pounds in a month.
Who Should Follow
- If you are a meat lover.
- If you are looking for an effective high-protein and low-carb diet.
- If you workout regularly.
- If you struggle to maintain weight loss.
- If you are looking to gain lean muscle mass.
Who Should Not Follow
- If you are a vegan.
- If you are looking for a high-fat diet for quick weight loss.
- If you want to lose weight for an upcoming event in just a week.
- If the uric acid levels in your body are high.
Advantages
- You will lose weight and also maintain it.
- It is apt for meat lovers.
- Does not make you feel famished.
Disadvantages
- May not be suitable for people who do not consume meat.
- Not for people with gout, kidney problems, and high uric acid.
4. The Atkins Diet
How It Works
The Atkins diet is a low-carb diet. It was created by Dr. Robert C. Atkins, a cardiologist, to help his patients lose weight just by cutting down sugar and other carb-rich foods. Basically, you can consume as much protein and fat as you want but must limit the number of carbs. By doing so, the level of bad cholesterol in your body will come down, and you will not feel hungry frequently. Like the Dukan diet, this diet also has four phases that help you lose weight and maintain weight loss.
Weight Loss
You can lose up to 2 pounds per week.
Who Should Follow
- If you have high cholesterol levels.
- If you are overweight but want to lose weight safely.
- If you can sustain a high-protein and high-fat diet.
Who Should Not Follow
- If you are a vegan.
- If you want to lose weight quickly.
Advantages
- Aids weight loss and helps maintain it.
- Helps build lean muscle mass.
Disadvantages
- Not suitable for those who want quick weight loss.
5. The Mediterranean Diet
How It Works
The Mediterranean diet, as the name suggests, is the diet followed in the Mediterranean region. It is a balanced and sustainable diet that also helps the local economy grow. You will consume a good amount of protein, fruits, veggies, grains, legumes, yogurt, cheese, olive oil, and nuts in this diet. It excludes processed meats, high-sugar, and high-sodium foods, and foods loaded with trans fats. In fact, this diet will change your attitude toward food and help you make healthier decisions.
Weight Loss
You can lose about 1-2 pounds per week depending on your body weight, the foods you choose to consume, and the intensity of the exercises you do.
Who Should Follow
- If you do not want to try a drastic diet.
- If you want to lose weight slowly and steadily.
- If you want to follow a healthy diet and be happy with the food you eat.
Who Should Not Follow
- If you want to lose a lot of weight quickly.
- If your weight loss has plateaued.
Advantages
- You can lose weight without feeling famished or uncomfortable.
- Sustainable weight loss.
- You feel better and energetic.
- Free of all processed and artificial foods and ingredients.
- Good for patients with heart problems, high blood sugar, and high cholesterol.
Disadvantages
- Slow weight loss.
6. The Detox Diet
How It Works
The detox diet can be followed for 3 or 7 days. It works by flushing out all the toxins accumulated in your body. An unhealthy lifestyle causes all the gunk to get stored in your body and increase stress levels. Signs that indicate that you need to detox include constipation, skin problems, hair loss, and accumulation of fat in your belly region. The foods you can consume on a detox diet include fresh vegetables, fruits, and plant-based protein sources. You can either juice them or eat them raw. You will also need to avoid all kinds of junk and unhealthy foods. Regular exercising will help you sweat out the stress.
Weight Loss
1 pound in 3 days, 3 pounds in 7 days.
Who Should Follow
- If you are overweight and suffering from gut problems.
- If you are stressed out.
- If you need to kickstart your weight loss.
- If you ate too much at a wedding/function that you attended recently.
Who Should Not Follow
- If your doctor has advised against it.
Advantages
- Works wonders for anyone who follows it.
- Quick weight loss.
- Improves sleep quality and brain function.
- Boosts immunity.
- Makes you feel rejuvenated and light.
Disadvantages
- May not be done if you are traveling.
7. Intermittent Fasting
How It Works
The intermittent fasting is an 8-hour diet where you are allowed to consume food within a window of 8 hours and fast for the next 16 hours. This diet boosts metabolism and improves the fat burning capability of your body. You can have the 8-hour eating window from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., as per your convenience. You will need to do some simple cardio and resistance training to burn the calories you consumed in the form of energy.
Weight Loss
20-25 pounds in three weeks.
Who Should Follow
- If you want to lose weight quickly, effectively, and safely.
- If you have a special occasion to attend in less than a month.
Who Should Not Follow
- If you are pregnant.
- If you are a new mommy.
- If you exercise rigorously.
- If fasting is not your cup of tea.
Advantages
- Sustainable weight loss.
- Helps detox the body.
Disadvantages
- May not be suitable for everyone.
- May make you irritable and moody.
8. The Ketogenic Diet
How It Works
Ketogenic diet is a high-fat (75%), medium-protein (20%), and low-carb (5%) diet that prompts your body to form ketone bodies (known as ketosis) and use fat as a source of fuel instead of carbs (glucose or sugar) or protein (converted into sugar through a process called gluconeogenesis). This diet is mainly recommended for Alzheimer’s, cancer, epilepsy, and diabetes patients. The ketogenic diet has gained popularity in recent times as it helps dieters shed pounds of flab without going hungry or feeling starved.
Weight Loss
Anywhere between 2-6 pounds per week – depending on your current weight and how strictly you follow the diet.
Who Should Follow
- Obese individuals who need to shed a few pounds quickly.
- Diabetic patients who need to lose weight to protect their body from diabetes-related health complications.
- Anyone who can follow and maintain an extreme diet that’s high in fat.
Who Should Not Follow
- Anyone who can lose weight just by tweaking their diet a bit and exercising regularly.
- Anyone who cannot sustain the diet.
Advantages
- Quick weight loss.
- Health benefits for those suffering from diabetes, Alzheimer’s, epilepsy, and cancer.
Disadvantages
- Non-sustainable.
- May backfire if not followed properly.
- There is not enough research on the long-term effects of the keto diet on weight loss.
Bottomline
These are the 8 best diets that you can follow for weight loss. Choose the best one according to your lifestyle, the one that you can sustain, and the one that is most likely to give you the desired results. Use this information and lose the excess flab within a few days.
Recommended Articles:
- Vegan Keto Diet Guide– How To Do It, Diet Plan, What To Eat, And Benefits
- The Abs Diet: Everything You Need to Know for A Six-Pack !!
- Mediterranean Diet: Meal Plan & Beginner’s Guide
- The Ketogenic Diet for Beginners: A Detailed Keto Guide
- Beginner’s Guide: Carb Cycling for Weight Loss
- Can a Detox Diet Really Help You Lose Weight?
- Intermittent Fasting For Weight Loss: Diet Review
