Fads come and go, as do Fad Diets. If there are no immediate weight loss results, then what’s the point? So why isn’t veganism declining and what are the paleo and keto diets that have been popping up? Do they have any value?
Diets explained
The vegan diet is completely plant-based. There’s no consumption of animal products such as milk or cheese like a vegetarian diet allows.
Some vegans go as far as to cut out honey and any additives or vitamins derived from animals. Their source of protein comes from foods made of soy like tofu or from beans. The diet helps some lose weight, helps them feel better, and is also followed for ethical reasons.
On the other hand, the paleo diet allows meat, and many think it’s meat-based. Some call it the caveman diet and here’s why. Paleo comes from the word Paleolithic; the idea is to eat like the early humans, hence cavemen. This cuts out gluten and grains entirely, dairy, processed foods and sugars, soy, and bad carbohydrates. The idea is to consume healthy fats instead of carbs and it’s preferred to limit sugar overall.
Remember, just because you’re allowed meat doesn’t mean it’s okay to skip the veggies.
The keto diet has similar ideas. There is no consumption of grains, fruits, tubers, or sugars. In contrast to the Paleo Diet, high fat dairy is still on the table. If you are a fruit lover don’t worry too much, you can still eat berries. The way this diet works is by limiting the intake of carbohydrates, and by doing so, the body is put into the state known as ketosis. Ketosis helps us survive when we don’t get enough food. The body is then forced into its metabolic state because of the starvation of carbs rather than the starvation of food.
Not just for weight loss
While each diet has been labeled a fad at one point or another there are other reasons to follow them aside from losing weight quick.
They are restrictive diets with health benefits.
First, who goes on a restrictive diet? People with health issues, allergies, or an intolerance. Second, what benefits might they reap?
Following a vegan diet has been shown to lower blood sugar as well as improve kidney function. It provides relief of systemic distal polyneuropathy symptoms, a condition that causes sharp, burning pain in diabetics. A lower risk of heart disease has also been shown. Those with arthritis pain and fibromyalgia have benefited from this plant-based diet, reporting higher energy and improvement of pain by reducing inflammation.
The paleo diet also provides anti-inflammatory effects from the plant nutrients. The elimination of processed foods causes you to ingest fewer toxins and eating cleanly will lead to a healthier gut.
The lack of a healthy gut has been linked to conditions such as food allergies, diabetes, fibromyalgia, and arthritis.
The keto diet can improve heart health by reducing bad cholesterol and boosting good cholesterol. Appetite will become controlled and mental focus is increased. Like the other two diets, energy has been shown to go up. Two big health issues that may be improved are seizures and PCOS, or polycystic ovarian syndrome. Concerning seizures for those with epilepsy, it has yet to be proven just how effective this is. With PCOS one study showed improved hormone balance, fasting insulin, and luteinizing hormone/follicle-stimulating hormone ratios.
Take away
Weight loss is a benefit of all three; however, it is clearly not the only reason these diets are followed. That said, any diet can be dangerous if treated as a way to lose weight fast. It’s important to do research and find out what is most beneficial and healthiest for you.