Alkaline diet, ketogenic diet, paleo diet or intermittent fasting, are among the most popular diets.
A new year is synonymous with new resolutions. Starting new diets, joining the gym, quitting smoking, travelling, saving and eating better are the most common resolutions.
We often link the concept of "eating better" to eating fewer calories and losing weight, but it is a misconception. We know very well that miracle diets do not exist nor are they plausible to maintain in the long term. The concept of "diet" has been transformed into a lifestyle, defender of what is healthy and makes you happy, not a list of boring meals full of restrictions.
Nowadays, following one diet or another has transformed into a belief and a way of life. In this post, we are going to talk about 4 very popular diets during 2021, which will continue to be a "trending topic" in 2022.
Alkaline diet, ketogenic diet, paleo diet and intermittent fasting, what are they? What are its pros and cons?
We explain it in the following table:
What is it?
Pros
Cons
Alkaline Diet
pH diet. Helps regulate and balance the pH of your body. Consumption of 60/70% of alkaline food and 30/40% remaining of neutral foods or moderately acidic.
- Purifies the body and balances it.
- Unlike other diets, it does not eliminate food groups.
- It is a diet that can be maintained in the long term. Helps lose weight and maintain proper weight.
- Reject processed foods.
- It's simple to do.
None
Keto
Eliminate or minimize carbohydrates and focus on fats and proteins.
Helps lose weight through ketosis. Ketosis is a state in which the body has run out of energy reserves and has to resort to fats.
- It is not recommended for everyone.
- It is not recommended to maintain this diet for the long term.
- It is not recommended for children, adolescents, pregnant women, infants, or the elderly (it favours osteoporosis and sarcopenia -loss of muscle mass-) or people with metabolic diseases.
- Abundant consumption of meat and fats.
- In extreme situations, it can lower the pH level of the blood.
- It has very common side effects such as: Dehydration, bad breath, muscle cramps, constipation, ketogenic flu, increased uric acid level, poor sports performance.
Paleo
It is based on a primitive diet, such as what was hunted and collected.
- Decreases levels of blood sugar.
- Balances your energy throughout the day.
- Eliminates processed food.
- It is an ideal diet for athletes.
- Elimination of food groups.
- Increase of cardiac risk due to the high protein intake.
- Increase of bad cholesterol by abusing animal proteins.
- Increases the risk of kidney problems (the kidneys stop working more due to such a high protein intake)
- Risk of hypothyroidism
Intermittent Fasting
Fast on different time slots. There are different methods:
•16/8
•20/4
•12/12
•Fasting on alternate days or 5:2
- Benefits have been studied in people with type 2 diabetes. It can improve insulin sensitivity.
- Helps reduce fat especially in obese people.
- Contributes to the intestinal microbiota.
- It only helps to lose weight if a caloric deficit is maintained.
- It is not recommended for everyone.
- Not recommended for people with stress or anxiety.
- Excessive fasting is not recommended.
- It is not recommended for children, adolescents, the elderly, the sick, pregnant or lactating.
We’ve looked at four of the most popular diets and how they work. So, what’s the best diet for you? The answer to that question is different for everyone. You need to find a diet that fits your lifestyle and your health goals. If you’re not sure where to start, ask your doctor or a nutritionist for advice. They can help you find a diet that works for you and gives you the results you want. What type of diet are you following? Let us know in the comments below.
