Here are the trending fad diets of 2020 to analyse what’s working and what’s just a passing fad.
Intuitive eating
Intuitive eating involves listening to your internal hunger and fullness cues, mediated by ghrelin and leptin - two hormones that tell you when to eat/when to stop eating. There are no restrictions in terms of what you eat, when you eat or how much you eat; it’s all about listening to your body and responding accordingly. While this sounds amazing in theory, in reality - if you’re struggling with your weight, you may need better guidance to ensure you’re eating in a calorie deficit. Most people are not in touch with their internal cues. However, if you are, this diet may be ideal for you!
Volumetrics diet
If you haven’t heard of this diet before, it’s based on the principle that the volume of food impacts fullness and satiety. When this is examined in terms of its caloric density it is clear that some foods are better than others. For example, vegetables are high volume foods but not calorie dense, meaning you will get more full on less food. Calorically dense foods like oil and soda will not fill you up despite being high in calories. This is a great diet for people who often feel hungry - eating for longer periods on less calories can help to mute cravings.
Plant based wholefood diet
2018 saw the rise of veganism, but 2019 and 2020 have seen the rise of the plant based wholefood diet (PBWF). How does this differ to veganism? Well, it doesn’t really. The emphasis is still on plant foods rather than animal products, but with a few key modifications. Veganism dictates that you can eat anything as long as it doesn’t contain animal products. A PBWF diet restricts consumption of animal foods and processed foods, in favour of wholefoods. This is a massive upgrade to standard veganism, which can give way to unhealthy eating patterns.
Food combining
Food combining is based on the premise that eating certain foods together or separate will optimise digestion. The assumed ‘science’ behind it is that foods are metabolised differently, with different transit times and absorption rates. So consuming foods that are supposed to metabolise similarly, like fruit, your body will be more efficient at doing so, reducing bloating and digestive issues.
Despite the amazing health claims, this is nothing more than pseudoscience. Your digestive system is more than capable of metabolising and digesting different foods concurrently, as it has done since the beginning of human existence.
We hope this has given you an insight into the numerous diet fads that come and go. Before beginning any diet, consult a professional for tailored guidance.
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