As more and more people become health-conscious, they start to look for different ways to improve their diet. With a plethora of diet plans available nowadays, it’s tough to figure out which one to follow to achieve the desired results.

Along with a balanced diet, experts suggest choosing a diet that works best for you. Here are some popular diets that everyone should consider this 2018.

1. The Mediterranean Diet

The Mediterranean Diet is one of the most recommended diets to maintain a healthy lifestyle. This diet combines the use of seasonal vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, and legumes, with whole grains, lean protein, and fish.

This diet is low in processed food and unhealthy fat, and with moderate amounts of wine. Researchers have demonstrated that a Mediterranean diet can lead to weight loss, lower risk of heart disease, and improved cognitive function.

2. The Paleo Diet

The Paleo Diet, also known as the “caveman” diet, is based on the ancient diet of our ancestors. This plan involves eating foods that were consumed by humans millions of years ago, including fish, meat, vegetables, nuts, and seeds.

The aim of this diet is to reduce the intake of modern processed foods, dairy products, grains, and processed sugar. It is claimed that a Paleo diet can reduce inflammation, allergies, improve insulin sensitivity, and support weight loss.

3. The Ketogenic Diet

The Ketogenic Diet is a low-carb, high-fat, and moderate-protein diet in which the body burns stored fat for fuel instead of glucose. This diet involves consuming fewer than 50 grams of carbs daily, and high amounts of healthy fats.

Unlike a lot of other diets, the Ketogenic diet requires dieters to track their macronutrient intake. A Ketogenic diet has been shown to reduce inflammation, improve brain function, and support weight loss. While it’s effective, it may not be for everyone.

4. The Whole30 Diet

The Whole30 Diet is an elimination diet that involves cutting out foods that may cause inflammation or digestive issues. Participants are required to avoid eating sugar, dairy, alcohol, legumes, and gluten for 30 days.

After reintroducing these foods back into your diet, you’ll be better able to tell how your body reacts, which allows for long-term health changes. The anticipated benefits of the Whole30 diet include improved gut health, weight loss, and improved brain health.

5. The Dash Diet

The DASH Diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) is recommended for people who are pre-hypertensive or hypertensive. The idea behind this diet is to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

This diet is rich in potassium, fiber, and calcium, and includes foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, and low-fat dairy. The benefits of the DASH diet include improved heart health, lower blood pressure, and weight loss.

6. The Flexitarian Diet

The Flexitarian Diet is a plant-based diet for meat-eaters. This diet allows for a flex of vegetarianism and meat-eating. The goal of this diet is not to eliminate meat but to reduce meat intake and replace it with plant-based protein sources.

The flexitarian diet includes eating more fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, and legumes, and reducing the intake of meat and dairy products. The benefits of a Flexitarian diet include improved weight loss and reduced risk of heart disease and diabetes.

7. The Volumetric Diet

The Volumetric Diet is based on consuming foods with low-calories but high in nutrients and fiber. This diet includes foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, which can keep you feeling full longer.

The Volumetric diet helps in losing weight as you eat fewer calories while consuming more nutrient-packed servings. It also reduces the risk of heart diseases and diabetes.

8. The Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay Diet

The Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) Diet is a hybrid diet that includes foods from the Mediterranean and DASH diet. It’s designed to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.

The MIND diet includes fish, berries, nuts, and vegetables, just like Mediterranean and DASH diet, with an emphasis on leafy greens and blueberries. It limits red meat, cheese, and butter. One study suggests that this diet can reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease by up to 53%.

9. The Atkins Diet

The Atkins Diet is a low-carb diet plan that focuses on weight loss and improving overall health. This diet is divided into four phases, with each phase encouraging the consumption of a particular amount of carbs, ranging from 20 to 100 grams per day.

The Atkins diet is high in protein and cuts out refined carbs, which can lead to weight loss.

10. Intermittent Fasting

Intermittent Fasting is the process of alternating between eating and fasting periods. It’s more of an eating pattern than a diet program.

There are different forms of Intermittent fasting, such as the 16:8 method in which one consumes their meals in an 8-hour period and fasts for the remaining 16 hours of the day. Intermittent fasting has been shown to improve metabolism, weight loss, and heart health.