Alex Carson
Diet
It can be challenging to know what diets are right for you these days and what diets aren’t. You can become overwhelmed after a few minutes online because there is so much contradicting information. Between the carnivore diet, the vegan diet, the plant-based diet, and the low-calorie diet, things can get really confusing. We can break things down for you to make it a bit easier to understand.
The Carnivore Diet
On the carnivore diet, you can only eat meat and animal products, and carbohydrates are off-limits. Studies have shown that the carnivore diet can help with diabetes, arthritis, depression, and anxiety. The problem with this diet is that it is very restrictive. Many people get tired of eating the heavy, meat only diet. Some embrace it, but others can’t. This diet can cause high cholesterol and digestive issues. Finally, meat and eggs don’t provide the necessary nutrients.
The Vegan Diet
The Vegan diet is also restrictive. It is the exact opposite of the carnivore diet. On the vegan diet, you can’t eat any animal products. This means that you can’t have meat, cheese, eggs, and dairy. You can have carbs on this diet, but only sprouted gain bread and whole grains. There are some vegan junk foods that you can enjoy, such as Oreos, but if you are on the vegan diet to lose weight, Oreos would be off-limits as well. Many people find it hard to stick to this diet. It can be challenging to rely on seeds, nuts, and vegetables. The good news for vegans is that many restaurants are coming out with plant-based meats. Burger King has the Impossible Whopper, and McDonald’s is ready to release its version of the burger. Dunkin Donuts has a plant-based sausage. Finally, on the vegan diet, you will need to take a vitamin supplement. On this diet, you won’t get the amount of calcium and vitamin B12 that you need.
Plant-Based Diet
A plant-based diet doesn’t mean that you are vegan because you are allowed to eat fish and lean meat on the diet. The health impacts of plant-based diets are impressive. According to a study by Harvard University, eating fish every week can reduce your risk of heart attack by up to 30 percent. This diet can also help with weight loss. If you are going to eat meat on this diet, it needs to be high-quality, unprocessed, and hormone-free meats.
Calorie Counting
Counting calories is the easiest diet to stick to. You can eat whatever you want, as long as you keep your calorie count down. There are plenty of calorie-counting apps that you can download to your cell phone, making it easier to stay on track. If you are planning to start counting calories, there are certain foods that you should avoid, because they will have a negative impact on your health.
Low-Fat Milk
You may think that low-fat milk is good for you because it is low in fat, but you will be missing out on the essential vitamins. Low-fat and skim milk doesn’t have the benefits that you can get from whole milk.
Energy Bars
If you need a boost of energy in the morning or before a workout, energy bars may not be the best option. They do contain a great deal of protein, but they are also loaded with sugar and calories.
Diet Sodas
Diet soda may have no calories or carbs, but it really isn’t good for your diet. The artificial sweeteners in diet soda are worse than regular sugar. They fool your body into thinking that you are eating food, which raises your insulin level and then stores the sweeteners as fat.
Flavored Instant Oatmeal
Oatmeal is great for a diet, but flavored oatmeal is loaded with sugar and calories. If you want to add some flavor to your oatmeal, you can add fruit or yogurt.
Bran Muffins
Bran muffins can be healthy, but not the store-bought ones. These bran muffins are loaded with salt and sugar to improve the flavor. If you want to heat a healthy bran muffin, make your own at home.
Packaged Turkey
Turkey is an excellent source of lean protein; however, the type of turkey that you choose is essential. The pre-sliced turkey that you find in the store is loaded with sodium. It is best to roast a turkey at home and slice it to make a sandwich.
Wraps
Wraps can be good for you, but you need to put the right things inside the wrap. If you are filling it with salty meats and extra condiments, you aren’t doing yourself any favors by making a wrap.
Pretzels
Pretzels may be fat-free, but they cause other problems. They are made with white flour, which converts to sugar in your body. This causes your blood sugar to spike, and you will only feel more hungry.
Sports Drinks
You may think that you are doing yourself a favor by drinking sports drinks, but they are made of water, sugar, and artificial flavoring. If you want a boost of electrolytes, you should stick with coconut water or bananas.
Canned Soup
Canned soup may be quick and convenient, but it really isn’t good for you. These soups are loaded with sodium and calories, which won’t help you reach your weight loss goals.
