When it comes to losing weight, cutting refined carbs is pretty much a given, right? But in addition to ditching pasta and white bread, some diets want you to stop eating all carbs – the healthy ones too – like fruits, some veggies, and grains. But registered dietitian Susan Bowerman says for weight management and weight control, we should be eating diets that have a healthy balance of fats, protein and carbs, like these.
The Mediterranean Diet – This one isn’t low in fat or carbs, and you get to eat plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts and whole grains. The Mediterranean diet even allows cheese and red wine – in moderation. Here nothing is totally off-limits, but the things you should avoid on this flexible eating plan are sweets and meats, but it does allow for the occasional indulgence.
The DASH Diet – This one was created to help prevent and lower high blood pressure, so it emphasizes nutrients that help with hypertension, like potassium, calcium, and fiber. But DASH is great for weight loss too and lets you eat plenty of fruit, veggies, low-fat dairy, and whole grains, and limits red meat, sugar, and foods with lots of sodium.
The Flexitarian Diet – This is a flexible vegetarian plan, meaning you don’t have to swear off meat forever, just most of the time. That way you get all the health perks of being vegetarian, and can still enjoy a steak when the craving hits. You also eat more tofu, beans, lentils, nuts, seeds and such. Since non-meat eaters tend to eat fewer calories, weigh less and have a lower BMI than their carnivorous friends, you can see the appeal of this diet.
Source: Women’s Health