Individuals interested in losing weight or improving their health may be interested in trying a new diet. A person may consider several unique diets, including gluten-free, keto, plant-based, and flexitarian.
Gluten-free refers to a diet without gluten, a protein commonly found in grains like wheat, barley, and rye. Individuals living with celiac disease and several similar medical conditions linked to or exacerbated by gluten consumption are strongly encouraged to embrace a gluten-free diet. A few of the main symptoms associated with celiac disease, also known as celiac sprue and gluten-sensitive enteropathy, include frequent diarrhea, fatigue, and unintended weight loss resulting from intestinal damage. Without medical intervention, celiac disease can lead to serious health complications.
In recent years, a gluten-free approach to eating has become popular among the general public, whether for weight loss reasons or a general desire for more energy and an overall healthier lifestyle. It should be noted that while gluten-free diets may yield certain health benefits for some, the removal of gluten from a person’s diet changes the way the body ingests fiber and vitamins. As with any major dietary change, individuals should discuss the decision with a knowledgeable medical professional.
A ketogenic diet, or keto diet, is a diet that minimizes the presence of carbohydrates in exchange for high-fat content. Like the Atkins diet and other low-carb diets, the keto diet is popular among individuals interested in losing weight and enjoying the many related health benefits. Research has indicated that a ketogenic diet could decrease a person’s chances of developing serious health conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, and certain types of cancer.
By dramatically reducing the intake of carbs, individuals can transition the body into a state of ketosis. During ketosis, the body becomes highly efficient in converting fat into energy, placing increased importance on balancing the lack of carbs with the right amount and kinds of fats.
Many plant-based diets feature poultry, fish, beef, and dairy products like eggs. That said, the primary source of nutrients is derived from plants or about two-thirds of every meal. Again, while discussing the specifics of a healthy plant-based diet with a doctor or dietitian is important, it is possible to derive the necessary fiber, good fats, vitamins, and minerals from plants.
Finally, a flexitarian is an individual whose diet is based on vegetarianism but with various caveats. There is no one specific flexitarian diet, but a general definition could be that a flexitarian mainly sources their nutrients from vegetarian meals and ingredients but leaves space in their meal plans for meat on occasion. While plant-based diets contain small amounts of meat or animal products daily or near daily, flexitarians tend to stick to a vegetarian diet but make exceptions as they see fit.
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