Paleo? Keto? Blood type diet? It seems like every week, a different popular diet trend emerges. As a dietitian, I receive many questions from program participants, family, and friends about how I feel about the newest diet fad. Luckily, there are two questions that many dietitians and I ask to determine if a diet is based in science and therefore recommended.
- Where does the diet stand on allowing or limiting these super foods?
- Fruits and vegetables
- Nuts and seeds
- Whole grains
- Plant-based oils, primary olive oil
- Legumes, including beans, peas, lentils, and split peas
- Where does the diet stand on allowing or limiting these unhealthy food items?
- Sugar
- Red meat
- Saturated fat
- Highly processed foods
I have analyzed eight popular diets through the lens of these two questions and listed the PROS, CONS, and whether I would RECOMMEND this diet in the table below:
Sources:
1Alkaline Diet: https://www.webmd.com/diet/a-z/alkaline-diets and https://www.eatrightpro.org/news-center/nutrition-trends/foods-and-supplements/what-impact-does-ph-have-on-food-and-nutrition
2Blood Type Diet: https://www.webmd.com/diet/a-z/blood-type-diet
2Dash: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/dash-eating-plan
4Intermittent Fasting: Journal of Nutritional Science, 7, E22. doi:10.1017/jns.2018.13
5Ketogenic: https://ketodash.com/keto-diet and https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/ketogenic-diet-101#foods-to-avoid
6Mediterranean: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/mediterranean-diet/art-20047801 and https://medinsteadofmeds.com/
7Paleo: http://thepaleodiet.com/
Hello,
I had Gastric Bypass surgery last year about this same time. I have lost 40 pounds but since my surgery was a redo from a Sleeve they say that is about all I would lose. Do you suggest the DASH diet for someone that has had a Gastric Bypass?
Lee Traub
Hi Lee,
Thank you so much for reading our blogs and for your question. Congratulations on your success after gastric bypass surgery! Please consult your physician and/or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) about the best diet to follow for your condition.
Nice guide! I definitely learned a lot from this. I’ll also keep these in mind. Thanks for posting!
Thank you Vic, so glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
thanks for sharing your thoughts about diet and weight loss. I appreciate it
I really learn a lot of stuff about diet and weight loss. Nice content, good read and informative. Great guide, it is really nice to hear a dietitians opinion about this matters.