A Diet is a self-determined or pre-determined choice of nutritional sources. For a self-determined diet, it is likely you live in an environment where food is in abundance and you can define what and how you eat. A pre-determined diet is imposed upon a person, based on availability of food for economical, cultural, or religious reasons. Food and water are the basic sustenance of life. The three basic diets are covered below. There are spin-offs to each type of diet, but the ones listed below attempt to cover the fundamental principles of where a basic diet begins.
1. The Omnivore Diet
The omnivore diet is the most popular of all the diets and the easiest to maintain. The key to the omnivore diet is maintaining balance for maximum effectiveness. With the proper research and effort, the omnivore diet offers flexibility and a wide variety of flavors and textures. It may also encourage exploration and creativity in the diet. As with all diets an omnivore diet has its pros and cons. The incorporation of meat and dairy products into a diet, means that inattention to portion control and healthful choices, may cause elevated triglyceride levels which can lead to multiple health problems. Although an omnivore diet has its advantages, not being on top of your nutrition can do more harm than good.
Some Variations of the Omnivore Diet Include:
- Pescartarian Diet- A person who eats fish and/or other seafood, but no other meat or poultry.
- Pollo-Vegetarian- A person who eats chicken, but no other meat or fish.
- Pollo-Pescartarian- A person who eat chicken and fish and/or other seafood, but no other meat.
These diets also fall under the category of Flexitarianism or Semi-Vegetarianism.
The individuals who follow those particular diets are often cutting back on meat for health related reasons. Furthermore, there may or may not be other reasons involved in the individual’s choice.
2. The Vegetarian Diet
For some, keeping a vegetarian diet does not seem appealing. The feeling is often that it is a non-achievable thing to do. Like all things in life, with the proper research and effort, it is quite a manageable diet. It is a little easier to maintain than a vegan diet, since there is more flexibility when it come to available food choices. As will all diets a vegetarian diet has it pros and cons. Being vegetarian may come with multiple health benefits such as lower cholesterol and reduced risk of heart disease, but if not properly managed a vegetarian diet may lead to problems such as lower iron levels.
Some Variations of the Vegetarian Diet Include:
- Lacto-Vegetarian (Lactarian)- A person who eats plant-based foods and dairy, but no other meat, poultry or fish and/or seafood.
- Lacto-Ovo-Vegetarianism- A person who eats plant-based foods, dairy and eggs, but no other meat, poultry or fish and/or seafood.
The individuals who those particular diets may be cutting back on fish, poultry and meat for health, religious or cultural related reasons. Additionally, there may or may not be other reasons involved in the individual’s choice.
3. The Vegan Diet
For some, keeping a vegan diet does not seem appealing at all. Many often think that it is a non-achievable thing to do. As with all things in life, with the proper research and effort, it is quite a manageable diet. A vegan diet is more limiting than the vegetarian or the omnivore diet, but it is not impossible. As with all diets a vegan diet has it pros and cons. Being vegan may come with multiple health benefits such as lower cholesterol and reduced risk of heart disease.
These are individuals who may or may not be cutting back on dairy, fish and/or seafood, poultry and meat for health, religious or cultural related reasons. Naturally, there may or may not be other reasons involved in the individual’s choice.
Some Variations of the Vegan Diet Include:
- Fruitarian- Person or persons who eat botanical FRUITS, plus NUTS and SEEDS, (typically raw) but no other vegetables, meat, poultry, fish and/or seafood.
Although each diet has its advantages, not being on top of your nutrition can do more harm than good. Ultimately, the decision to follow any diet is all about a lifestyle choice. Consult with a Registered Dietitian to determine the diet that is right for you. In addition, listen and look for signs from your body as to what feels right, and do not forget to have respect for your neighbors choice of diet.