Which Diet Is Right For You

There is no shortage of food options in this day and age—One trip to the grocery store reveals a plethora of options everywhere from the snack aisle to the milk cooler. There are tons of ways to get the nutrients you need and no one diet is necessarily better than another. Below, you’ll find simple explanations of the top five diets that offer tons of nutrients… sometimes it just takes a little planning.

Keep in mind, all of these methods of consuming food are “diets” in the sense that “you need to eat a balanced diet,” rather than “you can go on a diet to lose weight.” While you may lose weight when you start any one of these plans, they are completely reasonable methods to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Gluten Free

Should you go gluten free? It’s the question of the century. The short answer is no; Unless you have an intolerance or allergy to gluten, there’s no reason to avoid it. Though gluten-free foods are often touted as healthier, it’s not necessarily true. Gluten is a protein found in wheat and there is no evidence suggesting that avoiding it is better for you.

Vegetarian

Whether you’re aiming to lower cholesterol or save the animals, a vegetarian diet could be right for you. Keep in mind that vegetarians tend to be deficient in vitamin B12, so you may wish to get a monthly shot or search out ways to incorporate it. If you’re curious or not inclined to commit to a vegetarian diet just yet, try implementing one meal a week that’s all veggie. Pretty soon you’ll look up and realize it’s been a whole month! 

Vegan

Take vegetarianism one step further if you want to avoid all animal products. This includes everything from milk and eggs to chicken broth and gelatin. But the good new is that Oreos are vegan! In addition to potentially lower B12 and iron levels, be on the lookout for ways to add in calcium.

Paleo

Paleo is short for ‘Paleolithic.’ So, you’re eating the basics that early humans were presumed to consume. This means tons of fresh fruits and veggies, nuts, seafood, and meat. For those wishing to follow the diet very strictly, it’s best to buy organic produce and grass-fed or wild-caught meats and fish to avoid consuming antibiotics and pesticides… things that weren’t on the menu thousands of years ago.

Raw Food Diet

This diet includes exactly what its name advertises: raw foods. This includes fresh fruit, veggies, nuts, seeds, and sprouted grains. Some raw foodists eat raw eggs, meat, and fish. Cooking is generally allowed (up to 118 degrees), but is not encouraged. This meal plan takes lots of prep work, but may help you feel super connected to your homosapien roots.

While we have lots of people with various views on food in our office, we’re not doctors. So make sure you check with your physician before you make any drastic diet changes, especially if you’re pregnant, have chronic medical conditions, or are considering implementing a diet change for young children.