Fad diets have been around for decades, promising quick and easy weight loss. Some of them have stood the test of time, while others have quickly fallen out of favor. Here are the most popular fad diets by each year for the last ten years:
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2012: The Paleo Diet The Paleo Diet, also known as the Caveman Diet, was the most popular fad diet in 2012. It's based on the idea that we should eat like our ancestors did during the Paleolithic era, before the advent of agriculture. The diet involves eating mostly meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, and nuts, while avoiding grains, dairy, and processed foods.
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2013: The 5:2 Diet The 5:2 Diet, also known as intermittent fasting, was the most popular fad diet in 2013. It involves eating normally for five days a week and restricting calories to 500-600 for two non-consecutive days.
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2014: The Juice Cleanse The Juice Cleanse was the most popular fad diet in 2014. It involves drinking only fresh fruit and vegetable juices for several days in order to detoxify the body and promote weight loss.
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2015: The Atkins Diet The Atkins Diet was the most popular fad diet in 2015. It's a low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet that involves eating mostly meat, fish, and vegetables, while avoiding carbohydrates such as bread, pasta, and sugar.
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2016: The Ketogenic Diet The Ketogenic Diet was the most popular fad diet in 2016. It's a very low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet that involves eating mostly meat, fish, and healthy fats, while avoiding carbohydrates and sugar.
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2017: The Whole30 Diet The Whole30 Diet was the most popular fad diet in 2017. It involves cutting out all sugar, grains, dairy, and legumes for 30 days in order to detoxify the body and reset eating habits.
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2018: The Plant-Based Diet The Plant-Based Diet was the most popular fad diet in 2018. It involves eating mostly plant-based foods, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes, while avoiding meat and dairy.
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2019: The Mediterranean Diet The Mediterranean Diet was the most popular fad diet in 2019. It's based on the traditional diets of countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea and involves eating mostly fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, and healthy fats, while limiting red meat and sugar.
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2020: The Flexitarian Diet The Flexitarian Diet was the most popular fad diet in 2020. It involves eating mostly plant-based foods, but allows for occasional meat and dairy consumption.
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2021: The DASH Diet The DASH Diet was the most popular fad diet in 2021. It's a diet designed to lower blood pressure and involves eating mostly fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein, while limiting salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats.
While these diets may have their benefits, it's important to remember that there is no magic solution to weight loss. Sustainable weight loss requires a balanced diet and regular exercise, and fad diets are often unsustainable and can be harmful to your health.
In Good Health,
Dan, Team Midwest Meals
NASM Certified Fitness Nutrition Specialist