Frequently Used Diets – uses and information
The following is informational only. This site does not promote any particular diet. Any of the following diets may be suggested by a healthcare provider, or may be chosen for a variety of reasons. Each individual makes his/her own choice. This blog is dedicated simply to facilitating your culinary endeavors, whatever they may be.
For information as to how to get started on a healthier diet, customized for you, please see How to “Eat Healthy”.
Clean Eating
- Old concept, new name.
- No processed foods. Eat foods that come out of the ground, or from a tree or bush.
- Eat whole, unrefined foods
- Eat smaller, frequent meals, 5-6 per day
- Eat balanced meals, including protein, carbs, and good fat
- Organic is preferred
- Drink lots of water
DASH – Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension
- Used to promote heart health
- Focus on foods rich in nutrients which lower blood pressure, such as potassium, magnesium, and calcium
- Include vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lowfat dairy, fish, poultry and nuts
- Limit red meats and sweets
SC Diet – Specific Carbohydrate Diet
- Used by IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) patients with Crohn’s Disease
- Organizational resource for up-to-date information concerning IBD – CCFA www.ccfa.org
- Publication for outlining SC Diet – Breaking the Vicious Cycle, by Elaine Gottschall
- Foods allowed/not allowed – Click here
- Short video: Click here
- More videos: Click here
- Note: Many people with IBD also have gluten intolerance or allergy
Plant-based, High Fiber, Low Protein – essentially Mediterranean
- Recommended for IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) patients with Ulcerative Colitis
- Great resource for information concerning IBD – CCFA www.ccfa.org
- Short video: Click here
- Note: Many people with IBD also have gluten intolerance or allergy
- Note: As with any diet, there is no one-size-fits-all here. Studies are constantly being done, opinions vary and change over time. Consult your physician.
Mediterranean Diet
- Recommended for general health, as well as a variety of specific illnesses
- Ingredients vary depending on the region
- Generally consists of plant-based oils, seafood, vegetables, and fruits
Low FODMAP
- Used by IBS (Irratable Bowel Syndrome) patients
- Eliminates foods which are not easily digested by the small intestine, creating trauma for the large intestine.
- Foods eliminated include lactose, gluten, and specific sugars
Gluten-free
- Used by people with Coeliac’s Diseasse and anyone who is gluten intolerant
Diabetes Diet
- Reduces sugars and simple carbohydrates
- Focus on eating healthy carbohydrates, fiber-rich foods, heart-healthy fish, and “good” fats.
- Avoid high glycemic-index foods, saturated fats, trans-fats, high salt
Vegetarian
- Defined by the individual
- Generally animal-free, may include dairy and/or eggs
- Chosen for a variety of reasons, including health, compassion, environmental issues, and religion
Vegan
- Eliminates all animal products, including honey
- Incorporates life-style. In its strict form, leather products are avoided as well
Raw foods
- Based on the belief that foods have the greatest nutritional value when they are kept as close to their natural state as possible
- Food preparation techniques include dehydration and sprouting
Paleolithic
- A.k.a. Caveman diet, or hunter/gatherer diet
- Allows fruits, vegetables, lean meats, seafood, nuts & seeds, healthy fats (plant based). Allowed in moderation: raw honey, stevia
- Avoid grains, beans, dairy, starches, alcohol
- No processed foods
- Very similar to the SC Diet
Blood-Type
- Based on the concept that specific food are either beneficial or detrimental to individuals based on their blood type
Macrobiotics
- Frequently used to prevent and fight cancer, diabetes, colitis, heart disease, and other serious illness
- Whole-grains based, utilizes local and seasonal vegetables, legumes, and sea vegetables
- Macrobiotics 101 – Click here
- Resources: Kushi Institute
- Recommended Reading: The Macrobiotic Way by Michio Kushi and Stephen Blauer
- SEVEN DAY MACROBIOTICS DIET – complete with grocery list, menu, and recipes, one-week healing diet plan. This is based on recipes and recommendations from The Macrobiotic Way by Michio Kushi and Stephen Blauer.
- Grocery List – Click here
- Make-Aheads – Click here
- Lacto-Fermentation (Make-Ahead Pickles) – Click here
- Menu Day One – Click here
- Menu Day Two – Click here
- Menu Day Three – Click here
- Menu Day Four – Click here
- Menu Day Five – Click here
- Menu Day Six – Click here
- Menu Day Seven – Click here
Standard American Diet (SAD) – Can’t help you with this one – I draw the line there…
- One of my college professors once told me that Americans are sometime referred to as “food monkeys” because it is believed that they will put anything into their mouths.