No two individuals are exactly alike so why should you eat like someone else? The answer clearly is that you shouldn’t if you want optimal results. This is even more obvious if you have a food sensitivity or allergy or are challenged by a medical condition. So, how do you know which diet is right for you? Simply stated, you might find that the diet that is right for you is vastly different than others in your circle of family and friends.
In a world full of confusing nutritional advice and fad diets, we here at The Pickled Beet™ thought it would be helpful to define and sort through the hype and explain in clear terms what each “diet” actually means. This isn’t an all-inclusive list, but it does include many of the meal plans we have prepared for our clients.
Anti-inflammatory — this way of eating excludes many inflammatory foods such as gluten, soy, dairy, sugar, excessive carbs, grains, and nightshades. Meals incorporate omega-3 fatty acids from fresh, wild-caught fish, organic chicken and grass-fed beef, nuts, and fortified eggs. With high levels of antioxidants, a colorful variety of fresh fruits and vegetables are strongly encouraged/
Autoimmune protocol (AIP) — this diet helps heal the immune system and gut mucosa. It is a stricter version of the anti-inflammatory diet and features healthy animal proteins and fresh vegetables and limited starches.
Candida — this meal plan incorporates low-sugar, anti-inflammatory foods that promote good gut health and eliminates the sugars that feed Candida overgrowth. Foods include non-starchy vegetables, some low-sugar fruits, non-glutinous grains, fermented foods, and healthy proteins.
Dairy-free — this way of eating is free from milk-based ingredients such as casein, whey, lactose, and milk fat.
Diabetic — this diet is naturally rich in nutrients and low in fat, calories, and carbohydrates. Key elements are low-fructose fruits, non-starchy vegetables and whole grains.
Gluten-free — this meal plan excludes the protein gluten. Gluten is found in grains such as wheat, barley, and rye. This also includes all varieties and forms of these grains, such as spelt (a type of wheat) and malt (made from barley).
Heart Healthy — similar to a diabetic diet, heart healthy meals feature nutrient-dense foods such as fruits and veggies, whole grains, lean poultry and fish. It avoids saturated fats, trans fats, and excess sodium and sugar.
Ketogenic (Keto) — this way of eating relies on a very low-carb, high-fat diet. It involves drastically reducing carbohydrate intake and replacing it with fat. The reduction in carbs puts your body into a metabolic state called ketosis.
Mediterranean — this diet is characterized by a high consumption of vegetables and olive oil and moderate consumption of protein.
Paleo — this meal plan is based on the types of foods presumed to have been eaten by early humans, consisting chiefly of meat, fish, vegetables, and fruit, excluding dairy or grain products and processed food.
Pescatarian —this way of eating mimics a vegetarian diet, but does include fish and other seafood. It’s a largely plant-based diet of whole grains, nuts, legumes, produce, and healthy fats, with seafood playing a key role as a main protein source. Many pescatarians also eat dairy and eggs.
Specific Carb Diet (SCD) — this diet is commonly used with individuals with Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth or SIBO and includes a group of foods, which are grain-free, sugar-free, starch-free, and unprocessed.
Vegan — this way of eating is strict vegetarian who also consumes no food (such as meat, eggs, or dairy products) that comes from animals
Vegetarian — this diet includes grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, vegetables, fruits, fungi, algae, yeast and/or some other non-animal-based foods with, or without, dairy products, honey and/or eggs.
Whole 30 — this meal plan emphasizes whole foods during which individuals eliminate sugar, alcohol, grains, legumes, soy, and dairy from their diets. Foods allowed during the program include meat, nuts, seeds, seafood, eggs, vegetables, and fruits.
For many of our Miami clients, understanding which diet is best for them takes some trial and error unless they have an exact diagnosis. The Pickled Beet™ works with individuals, couples, and families to find meals that are flavorful, healthy, and best fuel the body no matter what nutritional limitations might be part of the equation. Contact us for a free consultation.
