Everyone has a diet. Even if it is unplanned, random, or unhealthy, we all run on energy made from food and drinks. So none of us should feel like thinking about diet is only for the fitness gurus. Even if your not passionate about your work you should still be passionate about your health.

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The motivations of our first analysis range from consciousness to bad health conditions or skin problems. Whether you get a medical warning or simply try to be more responsible for yourself, the first step to choose a matching diet starts with getting to know your possibilities.

Dietary plans can be divided into two main groups. Diets that allow all food groups but recommend ratios for consuming them. And the other main group excludes certain food groups completely.

What are food groups?

According to widely accepted categories, we can separate:  

  1. Calcium and protein-rich dairy products and their alternatives
  2. Vitamin, nutrient, and mineral-rich fruits
  3. Fiber and carb-rich grains and whole grain-based products
  4. Meats and fish that offer a high level of protein and healthy fats
  5. Vegetables, legumes, and beans that are also rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber

+1 food group that is generally referred to as unhealthy but they can be implemented in our healthy diet if we keep them to the minimum: like chocolate, sugar or alcohol.

Excluding certain food, groups can be motivated by allergy or food intolerance, like the no gluten, no egg, no dairy, and no nut diets. But they can also be motivated by taste or more elevated ideas like animal rights in case of no meat or no animal-based diets, like veganism and vegetarianism. 

Completely quitting or excluding certain food groups is a very controversial topic. Consuming all kinds of food and looking for solutions that balance the ratios of our consumption is probably the golden path. The only group that you can lose without no one ever arguing, is quitting that extra one food group, with the no sugar diet.

No carb-high protein diet is usually recommended when you are trying to build muscles and work out. Doing sports and looking good don’t necessarily mean that you are as healthy as you can get tough. Many experts believe that a high protein diet is risky and we might be better off balancing the offerings of all food groups.

Rainbow diet is as friendly as it sounds. You don’t have to dedicate yourself to all kinds of difficult promises or forget about your favorite meals. You simply have to eat more ‘colors’. Eat greens, like cucumber, onion, beans, kiwi, avocado, and broccoli. Purples like red cabbage, grapes, berries, plum, and eggplant. Reds for healthy blood vessels and skin protection like cherry, strawberry, beetroot, tomato, and apple. Eat the yellow lane of the rainbow for low cholesterol and healthy joints, like lemon, orange, pear, and corn. Support your immune system, stomach, heart, and guts with whites. Such as beans, mushrooms, cauliflower, and garlic. Have a fun game with presenting these colors on your plate. Involve your family, kids, or friends. Look at this as a playful challenge for a healthier and happier life.

The most heartwarming diet plan comes with a complete lifestyle. This one was not invented but discovered. The Mediterranean diet is the one that takes you to the southern part of Europe, where socializing, laughing, dancing and sport is also an essential and natural part of life. This is the only diet plan that includes these activities and doesn’t separate physical education from eating habits. This is where a little bit of red wine and some sweets are occasionally part of the diet. The focus rather falls on how these food group ratios build up in your meals. Consume vegetables, fruits, whole wheat grains, olive oil, nuts, legumes and seeds, herbs, and spices daily. While trying to include fish and seafood at least twice a week. Keep the poultry, eggs, cheese, and yogurt for occasions like a Sunday lunch with your family.

Dash diet is just another way to say: consume moderate portions of meat and dairy. If you like meat but want to stay healthy, you need to find other alternatives and should know what they really are made of. Try to lose or reduce sweets. And have whole wheat grains, fruits, vegetables, and beans at an equal amount as a base of your diet.

Paleo diet sounds so fancy, but it only begs you to quit consuming processed food. Well, not only the packaged food that won’t expire for another decade but the ones you need to bake or make of grains. Just keep in mind the possibilities of an ancient human and you are good to go. Eat lots of meat, fruits, and vegetables. 

Whatever you think might fit your lifestyle, daily capacity, and goals the most, remember to analyze and make conscious decisions when it comes to eating. But still, most importantly, enjoy food with your loved ones.

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