DECODING DIETS
Atkins, Banting, Caveman – or cabbage soup . . . do you know how to run your dietary needs?
5:2 DIET
Eat what you want five days a week. Send your body to starvation mode for two. This is based on the idea you can eat what you like on the two days “off” and make up for it though the five days “on”.
ATKINS
The Atkins diet works on the theory that if you don’t eat carbohydrates, your body will start burning fat for energy, leading to rapid weight loss. During the first phase of the diet, you’re on a protein-rich diet with no restrictions on fat so this one is for the carnivores. You’ll need to say no to sugar and potatoes.
DASH
DASH stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. Hypertension, or abnormally high blood pressure, is common in South Africa and often is a precursor for heart disease and stroke. The DASH diet relies on lowering your sodium intake to no more than 2 300mg a day or, in layman’s terms, cut back on the salt! DASH also encourages you to eat more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean protein and low-fat dairy, and to steer clear of sweets, red meat and excessive salt.
DETOX
Detox diets are a spectrum that sweeps from master cleansing, juice and fruit fasts and raw foodism through to clean eating. They all centre on kicking rubbish off your plate. The idea is to give your body a break from the “toxins” in processed and junk foods, as well as those found in alcohol, caffeine and sugar. Clean eating is “detox lite”.
MEDITERRANEAN
The Mediterranean diet is generally high in fruits and vegetables, fish, and whole grains like whole wheat and brown rice. It is also low on red meat and dairy.
PALEO
The paleo diet is also nicknamed the caveman diet because it is based on the foods our ancestors supposedly ate: fruits, vegetables, herbs, seeds, meats and animal fats, eggs, seafood and nuts. You’ll need to give up coffee and chocolate, and all processed foods.
WEIGH-LESS
Members are guided towards their goal weight through weekly meetings that focus on health and weight management. In general, you eat a normal healthy diet, but with smaller portions and less fat and sugar.
WEIGHTWATCHERS
The WeightWatchers plan is based on a point rating system, which gives a value to foods and drink based on protein, carbs, fat and fibre content. The WeightWatchers Plan is essentially a calorie-controlled diet where you get a personal daily SmartPoints allowance.