You want to look and feel better, and you believe that changing your diet will help. But which diet might work? Everyone you know is telling you different, often contradictory, things. Who to believe? How to get going?
You’ll make the best progress once you find other people who basically see things the way you do, your tribe. That’s how everything works in life. Once you’ve found your tribe, you can work out the detailed techniques with them. For instance it serves no purpose to discuss the most healthy ways to prepare meat with a vegan, or pasta recipes with keto believer. Just as a doctor must first do no harm, you must first find your tribe.
Here’s how you begin to find a diet tribe which is right for you.
- Start your research by looking through the diets below to get a general sense of what approaches are out there. Click on any diet to get more detail about it.
- Join the “Find My Diet Tribe” discussion group. There you will find fellow seekers along with professionals such as nutritionists who are there to help you find “your people”.
Alkaline
The Alkaline Diet, or Acid-Alkaline Diet, focuses on the body’s pH levels, suggesting that food influences our body’s acidity or alkalinity. Supporters believe substituting acid-forming foods with alkaline ones (like
Anti-Inflammatory
The Anti-Inflammatory Diet is centered on reducing inflammation, believed to be the root of many severe illnesses. It promotes consuming nutrient-rich, anti-inflammatory, and fiber-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains,
Atkins
The Atkins diet, a weight-loss strategy based on reduced carbohydrate intake, forces the body into ketosis, burning stored fat for energy. The diet begins with a low-carb phase to stimulate
Ayurvedic
The Ayurvedic Diet, rooted in ancient Indian medicine, emphasizes not just what one eats but also how and when. It’s based on three “doshas” or energy patterns, affecting physical and
Blue Zone
The Blue Zone diet, inspired by regions globally known for their inhabitants’ longevity, encourages a plant-based diet abundant in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and healthy fats, coupled with moderate
Bodybuilding
The Bodybuilding Diet, aimed to support intense workouts and muscle growth, is rich in protein and carbohydrates, with moderate fat. Followers consume protein from lean meats, fish, eggs, dairy, legumes,
Carb Cycling
The Carb Cycling Diet, often used by bodybuilders and athletes, involves fluctuating carbohydrate intake to optimize workout and recovery performance and promote fat loss. High-carb days align with high-intensity workouts
Carnivore
The Carnivore diet proposes that humans are fundamentally meat-eaters, emphasizing meat, fish, and certain animal products while entirely avoiding plant-based foods. Supporters argue it can promote weight loss, enhance mental
Clean Eating
The Clean Eating Diet focuses on consuming whole, unprocessed foods and avoiding processed and refined foods. Followers believe that natural foods enhance health and fitness, emphasizing fruits, vegetables, lean proteins,
CSIRO Total Wellbeing
The CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet, a 12-week online weight loss program by Australia’s National Science Agency, endorses a high protein, low glycemic index eating plan for hunger management and weight
Dash
The DASH Diet, an acronym for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, is a nutritional approach used for controlling high blood pressure. It encourages consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean
Dukan
The Dukan Diet, conceived by French physician Pierre Dukan, is a high-protein, low-carb plan aimed at weight loss and maintenance. It’s divided into four phases, beginning with lean proteins and
Flexitarian
The Flexitarian diet encourages predominantly plant-based eating while allowing occasional meat intake. Ideal for those seeking a less restrictive vegetarian lifestyle, this diet comprises primarily of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and
Foodie
The Foodie diet centers around a passion for food, emphasizing flavor, diversity, and high-quality ingredients over stringent dietary rules. Rather than focusing solely on nourishment, foodies savor the eating experience
Gluten-Free
The Gluten-Free diet involves eliminating all foods containing gluten, a protein in wheat, barley, and rye. Intended to improve digestion and overall health, particularly for those with celiac disease, gluten
Halal
The Halal diet is based on Islamic dietary laws and is central to followers’ spiritual wellbeing. It allows meat from certain animals, like cows and chickens, slaughtered under religious rules.
Heart-Healthy
The Heart Healthy diet aims to support cardiovascular health and reduce heart disease risk through specific food choices. It promotes a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins,
High Protein
The High Protein diet emphasizes protein-rich foods like meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, and legumes, reducing carbohydrate and fat intake. Adherents believe protein boosts feelings of fullness, reduces hunger, and
Insulin-Resistance
The Insulin-Resistance Diet (IRD) aims to manage or prevent insulin resistance by emphasizing a balanced intake of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. It promotes pairing carbohydrates with proteins or healthy fats
Intermittent Fasting
Intermittent Fasting (IF) emphasizes timing of food intake rather than specific food types. It cycles between eating and fasting periods, typically an 8-hour eating window and a 16-hour fasting span.
Junk Food
Believers in the “Junk Food Diet” focus on the calorie balance principle (calories consumed vs. calories burned) for weight control, rather than nutritional quality. Followers believe weight can be lost
Keto
The Ketogenic (Keto) diet is a low-carb, high-fat regimen. It aims to induce ketosis, a state where the body efficiently burns fat for energy. Keto promotes foods like avocados and
Kosher
The Kosher diet is a religious dietary practice adhering to Jewish dietary laws, or Kashrut. It outlines permissible foods (like cows and certain fish), forbidden foods (like pigs and shellfish),
Low Carb, High Fat (LCHF)
The Low Carb, High Fat (LCHF) diet encourages a low intake of carbohydrates and high intake of fats, believing this promotes fat as a primary energy source. Followers eat foods
Low Glycemic Index
The Low Glycemic Index (GI) Diet focuses on consuming foods with a low GI score, which cause a steady rise in blood sugar levels, aiming to control hunger and manage
Low Sodium
The Low Sodium Diet focuses on reducing sodium intake to manage or prevent health conditions like high blood pressure and heart disease. Followers prefer fresh, whole foods, avoiding high-sodium processed
Low Sugar
The Low Sugar Diet aims to reduce sugar intake, believing this can prevent health issues like obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. Followers limit both natural and added sugars,
Low-FODMAP
The Low-FODMAP diet is designed to manage digestive issues like Irritable Bowel Syndrome by reducing intake of certain carbohydrates known as FODMAPs. Followers limit foods high in FODMAPs, including some
Macrobiotic
The Macrobiotic Diet, rooted in Zen Buddhism, emphasizes balance in life through food choices. Followers consume a diet of grains, vegetables, and beans, believing it promotes physical and spiritual health.
Mediterranean
The Mediterranean Diet, inspired by the traditional diets of Mediterranean communities, emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds, and olive oil. Moderate consumption of fish, poultry, and red wine
Montignac
The Montignac Method, introduced by Michel Montignac, prioritizes low Glycemic Index (GI) and Glycemic Load (GL) foods to stabilize blood sugar and promote weight loss. It encourages eating lean proteins,
NHS Weight Loss Plan
The NHS Weight Loss Plan is a free 12-week diet and exercise program offered by the UK’s National Health Service. It aims for a safe weight loss of 1-2 pounds
Noom
Noom is a health coaching app combining technology and psychology for sustainable lifestyle changes. Foods aren’t off-limits but are categorized into green, yellow, and red based on calorie density. Unlike
Nutrisystem
Nutrisystem is a commercial weight-loss plan offering prepackaged meals and snacks focused on portion control, balanced nutrition, and frequent meals. Unlike diets using a points system or offering one-on-one consultations,
Nutritarian
The Nutritarian Diet, created by Dr. Joel Fuhrman, emphasizes maximizing nutrient intake per calorie for optimal health, longevity, and weight loss. The diet promotes consuming vegetables, fruits, beans, lentils, whole
Paleo
The Paleo Diet, rooted in pre-agricultural, hunter-gatherer eating habits, promotes lean meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. It excludes grains, legumes, dairy, refined sugar, salt, and processed foods. Similar
Pescatarian
The Pescatarian Diet combines the principles of a vegetarian diet with the inclusion of seafood. The diet, emphasizing vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes, and seafood, offers health benefits from
Plant-Based
The Plant-Based Diet focuses on consuming foods primarily or entirely from plant sources, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. This diet is believed to support overall health,
Raw Food
The Raw Food Diet, or raw veganism, advocates for consuming primarily raw, unprocessed foods, based on the belief that cooking above 118 degrees Fahrenheit depletes nutritional value. The diet includes
Scarsdale
The Scarsdale Diet, developed by Dr. Herman Tarnower, is a low-calorie, low-carbohydrate, high-protein plan designed for rapid weight loss. It includes a strict “14-Day Scarsdale Basic Diet” followed by a
Siken
Siken Diet
The Siken Diet, popular in Spain, is a weight-loss program based on high-protein, low-carb food products. It shares similarities with the Dukan Diet and Atkins Diet, given the
Slimming World
The UK-based Slimming World Diet promotes a flexible eating plan, group support, and physical activity. Foods are classified into ‘Free Foods’, ‘Healthy Extras’, and ‘Syns’. ‘Free Foods’, including fruits and
Slow Carb
The Slow Carb Diet emphasizes low-glycemic carbohydrates, lean proteins, and vegetables. It avoids sugars, grains, and high-glycemic carbs, including most fruits. Similar to low-carb diets but allows legumes, the diet
South Beach
The South Beach Diet, developed by Dr. Arthur Agatston, focuses on ‘good carbs’ and ‘good fats’ for weight loss. The diet, divided into three phases, progressively reintroduces foods for long-term
Standard American
The Standard American Diet (SAD) is characterized by high consumption of processed foods, red meat, high-fat dairy, sugary drinks, and low intake of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. This diet
Vegan
The Vegan Diet, excluding all animal products, focuses on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Often motivated by ethical concerns for animal welfare and environmental sustainability, vegans also
Vegetarian
The Vegetarian Diet eliminates meat and fish, focusing on vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, eggs, and dairy. Health benefits, environmental sustainability, and animal welfare motivate followers. More flexible
Vertical
The Vertical Diet, developed by Stan Efferding, targets athletic performance and recovery. It emphasizes easily digestible foods like red meat and white rice, limiting food variety to enhance nutrient absorption
Weight Watchers (WW)
The Weight Watchers (WW) diet uses a points-based system, SmartPoints, to encourage healthy, balanced eating. The flexible program assigns lower points to healthier foods and higher points to less healthy
Whole30
The Whole30 diet is a 30-day elimination program that emphasizes meats, seafood, eggs, fruits, vegetables, and natural fats, while avoiding sugar, alcohol, grains, legumes, dairy, and processed foods. This diet,
Zone
The Zone Diet aims to reduce diet-induced inflammation and promote overall health by balancing macronutrients in a 40:30:30 ratio of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. This plan is designed to stabilize