There are SO MANY diets out there – different ones come in and out of style. Let’s look at some currently popular ones, and their pros and cons.
Popular Diets to Follow to Get Ready for the Wedding
1. What are Popular Diets?
Paleo
What’s Allowed:
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Lean cuts of beef, pork, and poultry
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Game animals
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Eggs, but no more than six a week
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Fish, including shellfish
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Fruit
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Non-starchy vegetables
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Nuts and seeds
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Oils in moderation
What’s NOT Allowed:
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All dairy products incl. butter
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Grains
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Legumes / beans
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Starchy vegetables
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Sweets, juices & sodas
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Processed and cured meats
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Highly processed foods
Whole30
What’s Allowed:
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Meat
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Poultry
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Fish
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Veggies – starchy and non-starchy
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Fruits
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Fats – e.g. avocado
What’s NOT Allowed:
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Any type of added sugar
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Alcohol
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Grains
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Beans
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Nuts
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Soy
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Dairy
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Processed additives e.g. MSG
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No fake treats with Whole30-approved ingredients. E.g. cauliflower crust pizza
Gluten-Free
What’s NOT Allowed:
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Gluten – found in Wheat, Rye, Barley, Malted milk or milkshakes, Brewer’s Yeast, some oats
Low-Carb Varieties: Low-Sugar/ Atkins/ South Beach/ Keto
What’s Allowed:
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Meats
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Vegetables
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Dairy
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Eggs
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Fish
What’s NOT Allowed:
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Fruit
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Starchy vegetables
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Grains
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Beans
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Added sugar
Plant-Based Varieties: Vegetarian, Vegan
What’s Allowed:
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Vegetables – starchy & non-starchy
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Grains
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Fruits
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Nuts & seeds
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Beans & legumes
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Oils
What’s NOT Allowed:
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Animal proteins (can include eggs, fish, also chicken/ meat, etc.)
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Dairy products (depends)
2. Pros & Cons
You can (95% of the time) find a study to support whatever benefit for whatever diet you want to follow. So I’m not going to go into those types of “benefits” here. Instead, let’s look at overall pros and cons of following any diet or way of eating.
Money
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Pros: eliminating nutrients/ food groups can help save money
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Cons: Some diets e.g. Paleo, focuses on organic foods —> can be more expensive
Social Events
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Pros: Easily navigate open bar, appetizer bar, etc.
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Cons: Can feel deprived/ feel like you’re not part of the group
Food Cravings
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Pros: If you’ve already made the decision to not eat something, it takes the stress out. You don’t have to think: Should I just have a bite? Does today ‘count’?
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Cons: Feeling of deprivation
Health
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Pros: eliminating certain foods can help with portion control; weight loss/ management; vitals; feeling of fullness – particularly with lower carb diets
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Cons: You may not be getting all of the nutrients that you need, e.g. Anemia (lack of iron) – non-heme iron vs. heme iron; Omega-3s biologically much more available through fish; “Food Synergy”; nutrition is the newest science
3. So What Should I Do?
You have to do what works for YOU, personally. I do caution though, that typically eliminating any food group in its entirety is limiting essential nutrients from your diet