What is the Best Diet?

Oh hey 2020, great to see you!  Of course along with bubbly, sequins and loud noise makers comes a fresh batch of NY resolutions.  And since many of us include ‘eat healthier’ on that list (perhaps not for the first time), I wanted to share my thoughts on the best ‘diet’ along with which nutrition plans rank best and my healthy eating tips to set yourself up for success this year!

So I was doing a little bit of research into resolutions, totally curious about how many people on average include eating healthier specifically.  While these are rough numbers, surveys tend to show that over 70% of us resolve to eat healthier as a resolution year after year, with over 50% of people including the goal of weight loss.  And apparently most (80% or so) break these resolutions by February.  Ouch!

It’s likely that some of you may be starting a new diet as a part of your new commitment to your health. The word diet has taken on somewhat of a restrictive meaning, but in truth the word simply describes what we put in our mouths. The reality is that many flashy diets (which have a start and end) work in the short term due to the restrictive nature, but fail miserably in the long term (also due to their restrictive nature).

Side note: a relatively recent study demonstrated that restricting carbohydrates vs fat yielded  similar results with no significant difference between the two.  

The key to healthy eating may not be sexy, but it is without a doubt what WORKS: balance, moderation and quality. I feel that we have somehow fallen out of love with food in our culture (read anything by Michael Pollan if this topic interests you), and the messages that we are fed through social media and advertisements fuel the notion food is simply a tool.  I love the science behind food but we can’t forget the nourishing role that food plays in our lives.

Which brings me to my next point. Whatever you changes you make, check in with yourself emotionally.  Is your approach to healthy eating healthy?  How critical are you of your own body?  If you are suspecting that you are leaning in to a pattern of disordered eating (which many diets fuel), be sure to check in with a qualified healthcare professional to discuss how you can achieve your health goals without going down the rabbit hole of disordered eating patterns.

In order to be successful with any dietary changes you need to set yourself up with a sustainable pattern of eating that you can stick to for life that doesn’t leave out foods that are important for your body.  It’s really more like a “no-diet” diet.

All that being said, here is a checklist you can use to assess whether a diet is worth considering:

2020 Diet Checklist

• Can you stay on the diet forever?  Truly, be honest with yourself.  For instance, keto may sound appealing, but do you REALLY want to be cutting out carbs and eating 70-80% of your calories as fat for life?  I’d gamble to say that the answer is no.
• Do you have a transition plan.  This is where most people fall short. If you can’t stay on the diet forever (and most people can’t for those overly restrictive diets), have a transition plan.  Perhaps your goal is to kick off the year with a month of a particular diet that you feel works for you but then transition to a more sustainable healthy way of eating that is less restrictive (see below for some that I recommend).  No transition plan means that you will be jumping back to your old way of eating – and back to square one (or worse for some people).
• Is the diet gimmicky?  Do you need to buy expensive supplements that over-promise the world or other ‘magic’ components?  Be wary of these diets (some of the supplements can even be dangerous) and look for the science to support the claims (which is rarely there, even to a small degree).

What is the best diet?

While I’m not a fan of dieting, there are a few ‘diets’ that I feel good recommending.  These diets, or better put, patterns of eating, are backed by science and are all packed with veggies – no gimmicks required!

• Whole Food Plant-Based or Vegan Diet
  • This pattern of eating has received a ton of press in the last couple of years… and I’m all for it.   As a society we simply eat far too much animal protein, with negative impacts to our health and that of the planet.  If you’re not prepared to go vegan (zero animal products including any dairy, honey, meat etc), why not lean in to a plant-based lifestyle (aka ‘flexitarian diet’) and start with a few meals? Mix up your routine with a tofu curry, veggie burger or our Garden Bolognese from our cookbook.  There is SO much inspiration out there (check out our cookbook Fraîche Food Full Hearts, Minimalist Baker, Erin Ireland, Oh She Glows, Eat More Plants, This Kitchen is for Dancing …).  Just remember that just because it is vegan doesn’t mean it’s healthy (ahem, Oreo’s are vegan) – look for whole foods and start reading labels to help you make the best choices.

• Mediterranean Diet
  • Still plant-based (just not vegan), this diet is THE most studied diet out there.  Stemming from research staring in the 1960’s, this pattern of eating reflects the healthy lifestyle of those living in the Mediterranean, and is thought to be a part of the reason for why people living in this region live such long healthy lives.  It emphasizes olive oil as the fat with plenty of vegetables, lean protein, and the occasional glass of wine.  This diet may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

• DASH Diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension)
  • Just as the name describes, this is a diet that is designed to treat or prevent high blood pressure.  The standard diet caps sodium at 2,300mg per day while the lower sodium version only allows up to 1,500mg per day.  It is rich in plants, lean protein, low fat dairy with moderate whole grains allowed.  It is essentially a low sodium version of the Mediterranean diet.

• MIND Diet
  • A hybrid between the Mediterranean Diet and the DASH Diet.  It is intended to improve brain health, potentially mitigating the risk of cognitive decline and dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. Rich in berries (but doesn’t emphasize other fruit), dark leafy greens, beans, whole grains, nuts and olive oil, it is heavy on veggies and light on animal protein.  A glass of wine daily is allowed.

• Noom
  • If an app with more structure is your jam, I actually think that Noom is a good choice.  I like that it encourages lifestyle changes and accountability, and includes an educational component (more in the paid version).  The program works on a red, yellow and green light system for foods to help you make better choices and includes online peer support with access to a coach for some versions (not a dietitian for the record).

• Weight Watchers
  • After all these years, I still think that Weight Watchers is a sensible program.  It works on a flexible point based system, offers a supportive environment and also has an app to help you track your progress.  You can still eat your favourite foods in moderation while working towards a healthier you.

SHOP THE POST

How to eat healthier in 5 steps:

1. Watch what you drink. Cut out or cut back on alcohol (which you may be doing already after the holidays!). Alcohol has 7 calories/gram vs 4 for protein and carbohydrates for reference, and is often consumed with calorie-heavy beverages and rich food.  Don’t drink your calories (unless it’s a fibre rich smoothie): a grande Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha has 430 calories for instance. Drink plenty of water. This helps keep you hydrated to help with digestion and metabolism, and also helps you feel more full.
2. Fill half of your plate with vegetables. This is probably the best and most simple piece of advice.  So often we focus on what we CAN’T have… focussing on what you can have is way more fun!  Make it colourful and try new veggies out.  Veggies should be the star of the plate, not the protein or refined carbs.
3. Make your own food.  Honestly, making your own food is so key to healthy eating.  Not only is it enjoyable, but you have full control over what you put in your body.  With mindful purchasing you can also reduce your environmental footprint more by choosing foods without all the packaging, and it doesn’t have to be complicated!  Start with something easy like a stir fry, simple soup or a salad.  Ideally eat with others and don’t eat in front of a screen.  And don’t bring anything into the house that you don’t want to be tempted by.  If it’s not there you’re less likely to make a trip to go get it!
4. Eat only until you are comfortable.  If weight loss is your concern, big portions may be a part of the picture.  I personally had to re-program myself when I moved out on my own: we always ate a lot growing up, always till I was full (my mom was a good cook lol).  Eating until you are comfortable, not full, is one of the best ways to avoid eating excess calories.  If you are still hungry after 20 minutes go grab more!
5. Minimize snacking.  I used to promote frequent snacking (and still do if weight gain is your goal), but well-planned meals (3-4 a day) seem to work better for weight control and digestion according to more recent literature.  That being said, I do keep healthy snacks in the car and in my purse (dried fruit and nuts usually) to fuel me if I’m hungry between meals and want to avoid being caught in a situation where I would otherwise have to pick up fast food (not ideal).

Just remember that the best way of eating is the one that works for YOU!  I think that in all of the noise telling us to eat this one day and not eat this another day that we forget to listen to our own bodies.  Strive for wellness, not perfection.  And remember to love yourself through it all!

Disclaimer: This information does not substitute for individualized health advice.  Please consult your physician or health care provider before making any changes to your diet or lifestyle.  This post was not sponsored but does contain affiliate links.