What Makes a Diet Sustainable? | EverythingSustainable.com
If you are trying to lose weight for health reasons or to improve your appearance, your first instinct is likely to try dieting. However, there are many diets on the market, and knowing which one to choose can be difficult. From low carb to high fat to high protein options, finding one that will help you shed the pounds can be daunting. While many options can result in initial weight loss, not all promote a reduction in weight that is sustainable. Below are a few diets that are proven to be more sustainable than other plans on the market.
Mediterranean Diet
The Mediterranean Diet is a heart-healthy lifestyle diet modeled after the eating habits of residents of Italy and Greece. This plan has been popular for several years and is still one of the favorite ones used today. The diet encourages you to stay active and eat a menu rich in fruits, vegetables and healthy fats. One of the main benefits of this style is that it can reduce your risk of developing heart disease and many neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s Disease. The Mediterranean Diet is also popular because it is easy to follow and sustainable due to the fact the regimen doesn’t cut out entire food groups and even allows you to indulge in red wine.
DASH Diet
The DASH Diet is a lifestyle plan that focuses on lowering or controlling elevated blood pressure. DASH is short for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. The DASH diet emphasizes consuming foods that are low in sodium and high in calcium, potassium and magnesium. Like the Mediterranean option listed above, the plan encourages dieters to eat plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, fish, beans and poultry. Those who follow the regimen often see weight loss after only a few weeks on the plan. The DASH Diet is considered one of the most sustainable weight loss systems because it allows you to indulge in red meat and sweets once in a while.
Vegetarian Diet
While many Americans considered themselves vegetarians, you may be wary of this diet because it does not allow you to consume meat. Luckily, there are different ways of adapting the regimen to fit your lifestyle. For example, a pescatarian diet allows you to consume all types of seafood. The plan emphasizes consuming plant-based foods, which can help you lose weight and lower blood pressure. The vegetarian diet is considered one of the most sustainable diets for weight loss because it allows you to eat a wide variety of food, especially if you follow the pescatarian version of the plan. While the Vegetarian Diet does promote sustained weight loss, you may need to supplement your food intake with nutrients such as thiamin and niacin that are commonly found in meat products to maintain optimal health.
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*Editor’s note: This article is not meant to be medical advise. Please consult a health professional before changing your eating habits.
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