Best Diets

Which Diets are the Best Diets for Your Specific Goals ?

The word "diet" has negative connotations to it.  When you think of diet it probably means being miserable and eating foods you find tasteless and unappetizing.

It doesn't have to be this way.  If you know why nutrition is so important you can probably see why being on a so called "diet" is not the best method to achieve your goals.

Though a lifestyle with proper nutrition is better than even the best diets, short term diets are still important.

Unfortunately most People Cannot be in the Best Shape of their Life at all Times

Sometimes it takes a little jump start to get you going with healthy eating habits.  If you remain in decent shape most of the time, one of the best diets can be helpful for short term goals such as toning up for a beach vacation.

You do not want to get in a situation where you have to lose a bunch of weight in a short period of time.  Even if you use one of the best diets to help you, short term diets are often unhealthy ways to lose weight.

There are many diets out there.  Some of the best diets are backed by clinical studies which they were based on.  Others are based on the opinion of either an expert nutritionist / dietician or a self-proclaimed expert in nutrition.

There are even some diets based on celebrities such as Oprah and how she lost 5 pounds.  Do you really think what helped Oprah lose 5 pounds is going to help you?

It is hard to know which diet is best for you because everybody has a different metabolism, food likes and dislikes, schedule and behavior patterns.  There is really no way to see if a diet will work for you unless you try.

You can find diet advice everywhere but some people are definitely better than others for good advice.

Best

Dieticians

The American Dietetics Association (ADA) defines a Registered Dietitian (RD) as, "a food and nutrition expert who has met the minimum academic and professional requirements to qualify for the credential RD."

An RD or Registered Dietician is the very best person to talk to if you look to find a diet which suits your goals.  They have been through years of school are have the knowledge and experience to prescribe you with a very specific diet based on your goals.

An RD will usually provide you with a detailed menu which tells you what to eat and the quantities of what you should eat.  They try to create the best diet for you using information which they collect from you such as journals and surveys.  An RD is your best bet to get the best diets for your goals.

Great

Nutritionists

Some nutritionists are actually Registered Dieticians who call themselves nutritionists because the public may identify with the name more.

Before you meet with a nutritionist you should research to find out their background.  The ADA has no credential and there is no legal term which constitutes a nutritionist.  Many nutritionists use computer programs to prescribe a diet for you which were developed by RDs.

Good

Personal Trainers

Personal training certifications are not a substitute for nutrition credentials.  Most personal training certifications have a very brief section about diet and nutrition.

It should be a red flag if your personal trainer prescribes you a specific diet.  Only RDs are allowed to do so.  An exception would be if your personal trainer gave you a diet which was from a computer program created by an RD.

The good thing about personal trainers is they generally have a varied experience and have probably dealt with people in situations similar to yours before.

For the most part a personal trainer should give you tips and pointers about diet but not prescribe a specific diet.

Okay

Doctors

Your doctor is usually a very busy person who has specialized in one thing for most of their life.  Unless your doctors background has a background in nutrition they are not the best person to seek to find the best diets.

Family

It may be a good idea to ask your family members about the best diets.  The advantage of asking family members about your diet is similar genetics.  The disadvantage is you probably have a completely different lifestyle than family members.  It may be worth a shot.

Bad

Bodybuilders

Bodybuilders are people who follow a very strict nutrition and regimen.  You could seek advice from bodybuilders but there is a 99% chance that the best diets for most bodybuilders will not be the best diet for you.

Many of the magazines and websites out there are written and published by bodybuilders so there is a lot of information out there which can be confusing.  You should realize that there is no chance the information was created for you and your specific goals and look elsewhere for information about the best diet.

It is a process.  The first diet you try for whatever goal you have may work and may not.  The best way to find a diet for your goals is to analyze yourself and your habits before you choose a certain diet.  There are so many diets, some which fit your lifestyle situation better than others.

The First Step is to Write Things Down

Keep a journal of your food and liquid intake as well as your activity, rest and mental state.  If you go to a dietician or a good personal trainer the first thing they will ask you is to start a journal.

Instead of waiting to meet with a professional to tell you what to do, why not get ahead of the game and start a nutrition journal.  Your journal should include what you ate/drank, when you ate/drank it, and how you felt after eating it.

The Second Step is to Analyze Your Journal

You don't need a professional to tell you that the cheeseburger and milkshake was bad for you.  But you may need a professional to explain why you get an incredible stomach ache every time you eat a salad.

A journal will help you and your professional whether it be a dietician, trainer, or book narrow down your food selection and timing.  This will help you save time on the next step.

The Third Step is Use the Process of Elimination

Einstein defined insanity as "doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."  If you keep a nutrition journal and periodically analyze it, you will avoid the insanity which is trying something over an over again without knowing with failing results.

By using the process of elimination and this 3 step process you will not only be able to choose a better diet for yourself but you will add value to any professional's services you choose to use.

Why Nutrition is so Important

Learn why it may be easier to change your lifestyle instead of going on a "diet."  Learn which foods have positive effects on your metabolism and how you respond to training.

Fat Loss Diets

Do you look to lose fat?  If you want lose fat join the club.  Some studies have shown up to 70% of American people are overweight.  Overweight usually equates to overfat.  Learn the difference between losing weight and the best diets for losing fat.

Best Selling Diet Books

Why have some diets been so popular while others go unnoticed?  Are certain diet books so popular because they work or because they make promises which are too good to be true?

Unhealthy Ways to Lose Weight

An overview of the weight loss methods which some people have used to lose weight which are detrimental to their own health.  Unhealthy ways to lose weight include dangerous supplements, eating disorders, drugs and more.

Nutrition Myths

If 100 people tell you the same thing will you believe it?  Most people would, that is what created all the misinformation about diet and nutrition that is everywhere from the gossip in the locker room to newspapers, TV and magazines.