Seven weight loss diets that work

The gluten-free diet is all the rage right now. Gwyneth Paltrow has been excited about it for a long time. She even posts gluten-free recipes on her website, Goop.com. Chelsea Clinton asked for a gluten-free cake for her wedding. Jennifer Aniston and former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham are also in it.

What does the gluten-free diet have? Why is it suddenly the “it” diet?

It used to be a special diet for people with celiac disease, as they are allergic to foods with gluten, a protein often found in wheat, barley, and rye. But that is no longer the case. More and more people (who don’t have celiac disease) are now jumping on the gluten-free bandwagon, even though gluten is very hard to avoid. It is present in breads and pastas, and is often used as a thickening agent in processed foods like ketchup and ice cream.

Proof of this is the growing competition in gluten-free products. There are now a number of online direct sellers of gluten-free foods, restaurants and bakeries that specialize in them, and even supermarkets are recognizing the potential of the market.

“When we walked into Sainsbury’s, we were the only gluten-free product on the shelves,” Chris Hook, founder of Nutrition Point, told The Telegraph. “Right now our biggest challenge is getting shelf space. It’s the incredible growth of private label gluten-free products. It’s getting harder and harder to get listings.”

The fact that celebrities endorse it is definitely giving its popularity a boost, but there is no concrete proof that it can lead to weight loss. However, there are claims that giving up gluten can make you feel more energetic.

“I feel better when I don’t. If I go to a restaurant with friends and have a beer and a plate of pasta, I’ll feel it the next day. Nobody wants a gluten hangover.” Silvana Nardone, former editor-in-chief of Every Day with Rachael Ray magazine and author of “Cooking for Isaiah,” a gluten- and dairy-free cookbook, told the Associated Press.

It may be that people who follow a gluten-free diet eat more organic and fresh produce, so they have a healthier diet overall, said Dee Sandquist of the American Dietetic Association.

However, “G-free” is a relatively new diet and can at most be considered a fad right now. However, there are diet and weight loss programs that have been tested over the years and have been shown to work. Here are some diets that work, according to health experts consulted by Forbes.com.

1. Organic

With an emphasis on avoiding processed foods, foods that contain trans fats, and foods with artificial flavors and sweeteners, this diet consists primarily of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Organic foods are free of pesticides, preservatives, sugar, and were humanely prepared or grown. It is easily one of the most popular diets, as evidenced by the explosion of companies like Whole Foods in the US, which rake in billions of dollars a year.

2. raw food

Have you ever wondered how most Japanese people maintain a trim figure and live long? Why do they eat a lot of sushi? Probably. Heating food above 41 degrees Celsius is believed to destroy the natural enzymes and nutrients in the food. Examples of raw foods that are healthy to eat are sushi, of course, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seared fish and meat.

3. The Sonoma Diet

This diet focuses on ten “power foods”: almonds, bell peppers, blueberries, broccoli, grapes, olive oil, spinach, strawberries, tomatoes, and whole grains. It is inspired by the cuisine of the Sonoma wine country, which is a combination of Asian, Latin American and Mediterranean cuisine. According to Connie Guttersen, author of the best-selling book The Sonoma Dietit’s all about enjoying the food, so it’s easy to stay motivated and stick with it.

4. checkweigher

Weight Watchers, the weight loss giant, has expanded to essentially become a support group for people who want to lose weight and get healthy. They offer two plans: a Flex plan allows customers to eat what they want but portion control using a points system; a Basic Plan consists of only nutritious foods but does not limit portions.

5. glucose level

Also known as the GI Diet, it is a plan often preferred by diabetics because it promotes the consumption of low GI carbohydrates to keep blood sugar levels stable. The menu includes some fruits and vegetables, oatmeal, barley, bran, basmati rice, some pasta, chickpeas, plain yogurt, and skimmed milk.

6. macrobiotic diet

Essentially a low-fat, high-fiber diet, it consists primarily of whole grains and vegetables: brown rice, soy products, beans, seasonal fruits and vegetables, seeds and nuts, and fish in moderation. Its emphasis on physical and spiritual well-being makes it a popular choice.

7. The South Beach Diet

The plan starts with a combination of lean protein, minimal carbohydrates, and essential vegetables. After two weeks, more complex carbohydrates such as bread and chocolates are added to the diet. Its success, according to the author of the New York Times best seller, is because it follows a very basic principle: “Eat good fats, nutrients, and protein, and exercise.”