Dietary plans evolve with time as more research reveals what recipes are suitable for optimal health and weight. One undisputed dietary fact is that calories do matter, but food quality also plays a significant role in weight gain and weight loss. Almost one-half of U.S. adults try to lose weight every year. The mere thought of the numerous diet plans in the health and wellness niche can make it difficult for you to know what is best to eat. But we’re here to help with your ultimate guide to the top best diets for weight loss and improved overall health.

1. Plant-based diets

Dietitians often recommend plant-based diets for weight loss. Vegetarians and vegans are the most popular examples of dieters who benefit from trading animal products for plant-based diets. Flexible diet options (flexitarian diets) emphasize plant diets with limited animal products. Several studies have related plant-based diets to weight loss. 

Review studies on over 1000 participants found out that those who ate plant-based diets recorded a weight loss of about 4.4 lb (2 kg) more than their counterparts who consumed animal products. Besides weight loss, plant-centered diets offer benefits such as reduced risk of cancer, diabetes, and heart diseases. If you’re looking for fast and healthy plant-based recipes for your family, check out easy weeknight dinners from FeastingatHome.com. These veggie-loaded recipes could provide your family with lots of greens as you stay safe from the pandemic.

2. Dukan diet

This is a low-carb, high-protein diet that’s good for your overall health and weight loss. Although the diet doesn’t limit how much food you should eat during its four phases, it does have some rules to observe. In the first phase, you restrict yourself to lean protein. Eggs, chicken, and fish are good low-protein foods to consider eating for about five days. However, try to avoid veggies and restrict your fat intake.

The Dukan diet’s subsequent phases allow you to introduce fruits, vegetables, carbs, and other foods. The goal is to help you shed up to 2 lb of weight per week and stay healthy for the long-term. This diet’s final phase has no timeline — it involves eating protein-packed meals once a week and doing some workouts.

3. Paleo diet

This is also known as the Caveman diet. Here, you eat foods that you can hunt, fish, and gather — examples include meat, seafood, eggs, nuts as well as fruits and veggies. The Paleo diet regime centers on eating habits that are characteristic of the Paleolithic era, which stretches back over 10,000 years ago when modern agriculture was not developed. 

Things like dairy, processed sugar and foods, as well as cereal grains, are not part of the Paleo diet. Generally, the Paleo diet is seen as a diet high in protein and low in carbohydrates, with variations on carbs and meat consumption. Experts believe that the Paleo diet constitutes a long-term healthy eating plan that helps people lose weight and lower their risks of heart diseases, and diabetes among other health conditions.