As you’re reading this blog, you’re no doubt doing it while taking a quick break from work, whether it’s at home or the office. You could even be on your lunch break. What are you eating for lunch? If you’re eating something greasy and delicious, like a green chile cheeseburger, just know that I’m jealous. Like, really jealous.
I’ve been doing better watching what I eat during the day. I make sure to eat breakfast every day, which I never used to do five years ago. I try to have a filling lunch that’s also good for me. Dinner is usually whatever my parents make for dinner because they watch my son during the day while I work. I will be the first to admit that I don’t always adhere to healthy eating all day, but I have been more careful about what I put in my body.
My family members have each decided to get healthier this year and in their own way. Dad is taking appetite suppressants. Mom is doing Keto. My oldest brother is doing the Mediterranean diet, and my older brother is “doing his own thing” to be healthier. What does all of this add up to? That no one diet is best for everyone.
I’m going to go over a few of the popular diets and a couple of facts about each one.
The Keto Diet
The Keto diet is a low-carb, high-fat diet that offers many health benefits. It’s been shown to be one that can help with weight loss and improving health. My mom tried this diet last year and lost about 20 pounds! When she told me what she could have on the diet, my first thought was, “Huh. Sounds a lot like the Atkins diet.” That’s because it is. Essentially, this diet has you reducing your carbohydrate intake and replacing it with fat. My mom was happy that she could have bacon and pork rinds on this diet, but not that she couldn’t have potatoes or bread.
The Paleo Diet
The Paleo diet has been nicknamed the “Caveman Diet” because the foods you’re allowed to have are similar to what a caveman would’ve found during the Paleolithic era. And what kinds of foods were around then? Well, think about hunter/gatherers. This means you can have meat, fish, eggs, vegetables, fruits, seeds and nuts, and herbs. A friend of mine has been doing this diet off and on over the years, and he’s enjoyed it because he can smoke a brisket and devour other delectable meats as part of his diet. He’s probably one of the few true carnivores that I know.
The Mediterranean Diet
The Mediterranean diet combines healthy eating with Mediterranean cuisine. In fact, this diet is considered to be heart-healthy. According to mayoclinic.org, the Mediterranean diet is one of the healthy eating plans recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans to promote health and prevent chronic disease.
What can you have on the Mediterranean diet? Fish, poultry, loads of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and healthy fats, such as olive oil. Try reducing the intake of red meat and opt for more fish or beans instead, and you can have a glass of red wine here and there. Also, try limiting the dairy intake. Seems pretty easy to follow and very healthy.
The Atkins Diet
The Atkins diet is a popular low-carb eating plan developed in the 1960s by cardiologist Robert C. Atkins. It’s probably easier to tell you all the things you can’t have on the Atkins diet. You can go ahead and nix sugar from this diet, as well as grains. No vegetable oils, no trans fats, no foods with “diet” or “low-fat” on the labels, no high-carb fruits or vegetables, no starches, and no legumes. This means you’re allowed to have meat (any kind), fish, eggs, low-carb vegetables, full-fat dairy, nuts and seeds, and healthy fats.
Nutrisystem
In my late 20s, I tried Nutrisystem. I will admit that it worked to help me lose 25 pounds, but it was hard. It was hard to only eat their foods when you really wanted a greasy burger or something deep-fried. The other downside to this diet was the price tag. It’s expensive! I think I paid over $300 for one month of food, and even after that, I still had to buy fresh fruits and vegetables! Also, if you like flavor in your food, then don’t try Nutrisystem. It’s pretty bland, and I told people it was like eating cardboard every day.
This time around, I was dead set on doing the Mediterranean diet because of the many benefits. For starters, it’s considered one of the healthiest diets out there. And it has tons of stuff that I like to eat, like olives, fish, feta, and olive oil. I’ve done aspects of it but haven’t gone full throttle into the diet. I figure it’s not too late, and I can still do it and make some recipes that look delicious.
No Diet Is Right For Everyone
Again, no one diet is best for everyone. Simply doing your best to eat well could be a great start, along with proper portion sizes. And don’t forget to get active, as that could help you to lose weight even faster.
Whatever you choose to do for your own health, make sure to talk to your doctor about it first to make sure it’s a safe option for you and your goals. It’s important to remember that not all diets are safe or healthy.
The waistlines at Albuquerque Plumbing Heating & Cooling are shrinking, and it’s great to see that many of our team members are sticking to their diets. They most likely allow themselves a cheat day here and there, but the team is looking healthier and trimmer lately. Keep up the great work with whatever diet you decided to do or will do in the future. We’re rooting for you!