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The Diet Review


What's the best diet?

There are so many diets out there. Picking the right one can be overwhelming.


It seems that every week presents a "new" diet that's going to change the world. It ALSO seems like every week new data emerges that debunks the old diet - and that if you don't follow this new diet, you will die an early, horrible, painful death.


That last bit was exaggerated.


It's true that for almost every fitness success story, there exists a unique diet that worked for that individual. If that person happens to be famous, then all we hear about how the latest trend of "goat-milk extract and roasted chia seeds twice per day" is the new thing. Celebrities tend to hype stuff up.


But diets need not be complicated. Most diets work if followed correctly because of a few universal truths they all have in common.


So please allow me to cut through the misinformation and pseudo-science and give you a formal, scientifically backed description of the popular diets. I'll also include why the diets work, why they're popular, and who might benefit from them. It will be a complete diet breakdown with useful links and references.



But first, a few universal truths.



Truth Number 1 - No matter which diet you pick, they all work.


All diets work by limiting food. What, why, how, and when they limit foods may vary. But nothing changes the fact that in order to lose weight, you must limit your calories. Even if you're not aware of where the calories are coming from. Many diets work because you're cutting out 50% of calories you would normally eat.


Let me emphasize the important part one more time: If you are averaging a calorie deficit over time, you will lose weight. If you are averaging a calorie surplus over time, you will gain weight. It does not matter what the source of these calories are.




Truth Number 2 - Most diets improve our food choices.


When someone comes to me claiming they've started a new diet, and this new diet has cured them of all their ailments, I just smile and nod along.


Most diets don't cure anything.


A bad diet will cause bad stuff to happen to your body. Fatty, sugary, highly processed foods cause all sorts of inflammation. Inflammation makes a lot of bad stuff happen to your body. Add a lack of essential vitamins and minerals to make you sick, and inconsistent eating habits to mess with your intestines - and congrats - you have the typical "American" diet.


BUT if you fix the bad stuff, good stuff happens.


Many diets and propagators claim their diet will cure you. But be careful here - if someone experiences a lifestyle improvement from a diet, it's usually because their overall food quality improved. Not because of any specific diet.



Truth Number 3 - Diets give us accountability


Just the nature of following a diet gives most people a sense of accountability. "I can eat this, I can't eat that" is a pretty simple concept.


Following a diet also gives us a sense of community. We know others who are following the diet - we feel connected to the celebrities who are advocating it. In a sense, following a diet gives us a purpose beyond just "losing weight." I call this an anchor. It's something to hold on to when motivation is lagging.


Final Truth - A diet has to fit your lifestyle


No matter which diet you choose, it will only work if it fits your lifestyle. If a diet is too far out-of-sync with your life, you won't follow it for long.





Okay, enough of the preamble. Here's a list of popular diets, why they work, and who would benefit from them. Click the one you wish to explore.


Please note: I probably won't be able to review every single diet in existence. There are so many out there, and many of them are just a slight reconfiguration of other diets. The list below contains the most commonly referenced diets.



(Coming Soon)


Weight Watchers / Jenny Craig

Raw Food Diet

DASH Diet

FODMAP Diet

High Protein Diet / Carnivore Diet

Mediterranean Diet

Paleo Diet

Whole 30

The HCG Diet

The Zone Diet

If It Fits Your Macros (IIFYM)

Blood Type Diet




Which diet is best?


When matched calorie for calorie, almost all diets are equal. This means that if you ate the same amount of calories and macronutrients across all the different eating styles, you'd see nearly identical body changes.


The major differentiation among diets comes down to:


  • How it fits your lifestyle

  • Specific health benefits of the diet

  • Your personal health considerations

  • Your personal preference


No matter what, they all work!



MORE Information


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