Finding the best diet is no easy task, especially when so many are out there. Do you really need to cut out dessert? How does intermittent fasting work? If you’re confused, don’t worry—you’re not alone.
Thankfully, there are several regimens to get your body looking godly in no time. And even better, they all let you enjoy plenty of scrumptious food while losing weight!
Below are the 5 absolute best diets for getting shredded and burning fat:
- The Mediterranean diet
- The flexitarian diet
- The Paleo diet
- The vegan diet
- The 5:2 diet
Picking the best diet for you may take a little trial and error. So, to help, we’ll dive into the specifics of each of these scientifically-proven regimens below.
The Mediterranean Diet
The Mediterranean diet takes inspiration from the eating habits of people living around the Mediterranean Sea. It offers a delicious blend of Greek, Italian, North African, and Spanish cuisine.
This nutritional regimen has numerous, extensively studied benefits.
It’s excellent for both burning fat and keeping weight off. Making it the perfect diet for those trying to build and maintain a chiselled body.
Studies also show that it dramatically reduces the chances of cardiovascular disease and heart problems. So, for many people, this diet is a literal lifesaver.
Some of the foods and ingredients you’ll eat often are:
- Olive oil
- Fish and seafood
- Legumes
- Nuts and seeds
- Whole grains
- Fruits
- Vegetables (especially kale, spinach, and tomatoes)
As you can see, the Mediterranean diet focuses on fresh, organic foods. Meanwhile, red meats, processed snacks, and sugary sweets are a no-go.
But there’s a silver lining: this diet allows, and even encourages, drinking red wine!
Since red wine is full of antioxidants and low on sugar, it’s surprisingly healthy in moderation.
The Flexitarian Diet
Have you tried becoming vegetarian before but can’t resist the temptation of meat?
If so, the flexitarian diet is perfect for you.
As the name implies, this diet is all about flexibility. While it focuses on a primarily plant-based diet, you’re still allowed to enjoy meat. Specifically, your diet should be about 80% plant-based and 20% meat and treats.
This balance means you get the best of both worlds. You’ll burn plenty of stomach fat by going semi-vegetarian. And get lots of meat-based protein for sculpting muscle.
Additionally, there are no calories to count or schedule to stick to. This makes it especially appealing for those who struggle with tracking what they eat and when.
Flexitarianism encourages consuming only products that are organic, farm-raised, and unprocessed.
In a way, this diet is also a lifestyle choice. Practitioners aren’t just eating healthier; they’re also helping the environment. After all, meat production and processing have massive carbon footprints.
If you want a diet that improves both you and the planet, go flexitarian!
The Paleo Diet
Nutritionists and scientists have spent countless years searching for the ultimate diet for a healthier body.
And as it turns out, ancient cavemen had it right all along!
The Paleo diet seeks to mimic the kind of diet people enjoyed in the stone age. This means eating only fresh and unprocessed foods, such as:
- Nuts and seeds
- Fruits and vegetables
- Grass-fed meats
- Fish and seafood
- Herbs
- Spices
- Healthy fats and oils
Meanwhile, you’ll need to avoid dairy products, grains, soft drinks, and legumes.
While it seems simple, this nutritional regimen will help you forge a body worth admiring. According to research, a Paleo diet can reduce body fat and blood pressure. Not to mention it provides plenty of meat-based protein for getting ripped.
This diet is also pretty flexible, having no standard calorie intake or meal balancing. Which makes it excellent for those who want a more relaxed regimen that still guarantees results.
The Vegan Diet
You’d be hard-pressed to find a diet more well-known and scientifically-proven than veganism.
This nutrition plan cuts out animal products entirely. Meaning that you’ll have to forgo things like:
- Meat
- Dairy and Cheese
- Eggs
- Fish and seafood
- Honey (product from bees)
- Butter and cream
However, fully committing to a vegan diet is a sure-fire way to get toned and shredded. Studies indicate that vegans have lower BMI, more energy, and increased metabolism. Plus, an active lifestyle and exercise both help bolster these benefits.
If you weren’t already impressed, a vegan diet makes keeping weight off easier, too. After all, it almost entirely cuts out unhealthy fats and excess sugars.
But with all the benefits come a couple of caveats.
For one, veganism is one of the most challenging diets to commit to and manage. You’ll often have to plan meals ahead of time, as many places have limited or no vegan options.
Furthermore, a vegan diet can easily deprive you of nutrients gained from meat and dairy. Such as vitamin b12, calcium, zinc, and iron. So, make sure you get them from another source, like a multivitamin.
The 5:2 Diet (The Fast Diet)
What if I told you dieting doesn’t have to mean cutting out your favourite foods? Because the 5:2 diet isn’t about what you eat, but rather when you eat it.
This regimen encourages you to eat normally five days a week and intermittently fast on the other two.
You should limit yourself to 600 calories or less on the two fasting days. Meanwhile, you can feel free to eat 2,000+ or more when not fasting.
Since you don’t change what you eat per se, it’s more of a lifestyle than a diet. However, it’s just as effective as the other regimens we covered above.
Research suggests the 5:2 diet improves weight loss and cardiovascular health. Not to mention that it’s easier to stick with than other programs.
So if you want a flat stomach without cutting out ice cream, this is the diet for you.
As a side note: avoid working out on your fasting days. The lack of energy you’ll have means you won’t get as much out of it. Plus, you might feel light-headed or dizzy if you push too hard.
Instead, make your fasting days also be rest days.