The Top 10 Diets to Get Ready for Summer 2015
If you are looking to switch up your eating routine before summertime, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve been doing a little research of our own, and according to Yahoo, these are the 10 most searched pre-summer diet plans right now. From Atkins to Whole30, we’ve gathered up recipes along with a little info to fill you in on the quick and dirty deets. As always, talk with your doctor before giving any of them a try!
The Dukan Diet consists of four stages. Though pretty strict, the first two will help you shed pounds while the final ones are targeted at keeping it off.
Banana Oat Bran Muffins With Flax: Bake up a batch of these tasty banana-bread-esque muffins for a great grab-and-go breakfast choice for busy mornings. (via Cooking Melangery)
Mediterranean Diet
One of the more heart-healthy eating plans out there, the Mediterranean Diet focuses on healthy eating plus a splash of olive oil and red wine. Think: tons of veggies, fish, whole grains and nuts, but a limited consumption of red meat, butter and high-fat dairy.
Mediterranean Baked Sweet Potatoes: There’s a whole lot of good stuff going on atop these creamy baked potato halves. Garlic-herb sauce, tomato salad and seasoned, roasted chickpeas each pack fab flavor and texture. (via Minimalist Baker)
Atkins Diet
If you want to pass on calorie-counting and carbs, the Atkins Diet may be for you. By abstaining from foods that tend to create sugar “highs,” you’ll burn fat and lose weight quickly while still feeling full.
Leek and Mushroom Gratin: There’s lots to love about this cheesy leek and mushroom casserole. It’s delicious served alongside a piece of plainly prepared lean protein. (via Kitchen Sanctuary)
Gluten-Free Diet
Going gluten-free means eschewing foods like wheat, barley and rye that contain the protein. While it can be tricky to avoid gluten at first, there are tons of other grains plus dairy, nuts, beans, fruit and veggies out there that are naturally free of the stuff.
Crispy Thai Cashew Chicken: A spicy Thai chili marinade makes these chicken breast bites super flavorful, while cashew “breading” provides a sweet, nutty crunch. (via Little Leopard Book)
DASH Diet
The goal of the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) Diet is to help you lose weight, lower blood pressure and reduce bad cholesterol. With a focus on portion control and a plant-based diet, plan on eating tons of vegetables, nuts and whole grains, along with low-fat dairy, lean meats, fish and poultry.
No-Bake Greek Bites: Loaded up with hummus, veggies and goat cheese, these whole wheat pita pockets are a great alternative to pizza. (via Stirlist)
Cabbage Soup Diet
This diet is all about following a low-fat, high-fiber eating plan for short-term, quick weight loss. It’s recommended that you stick to it for no more than a week.
Cabbage Soup: A host of aromatics and colorful veggies add some much-needed appeal to each bowl of this cabbage soup. (via Divas Can Cook)
Low-Carb Diet
This diet is pretty self-explanatory, limiting the number of carbs consumed per day. There are many “brands” of this type of diet out there, such as the Atkins Diet, and each one recommends a different plan of attack in terms of phases and carb counts.
Chocolate Fudge Crumb Bars: These coffee-shop copycats will go over well with carb-lovers and carb-conscious folks alike. (via All Day I Dream About Food)
HCG Diet
Pairing a very low, 500-calories per day diet with injections of the hormone HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), this diet is pretty darn extreme. It’s a great idea to consult a doctor before beginning any diet plan, but since HCG isn’t available over the counter, you’ll definitely need to.
Military Diet
The Military Diet consists of a cycle of three days on followed by four days off. This rotation intends to help keep your metabolism chugging along, and purports weight loss of up to 10 pounds in a week.
Dippy Eggs With Toast Soldiers: A typical breakfast on the Military Diet consists of a single slice of plain toast (skip the buttery miso spread here), a plain egg prepared any way you like plus half of a banana or grapefruit. (via Hapa Nom-Nom)
Whole 30Diet
According to the Whole30 Program website, the goal of the Whole30 diet is to “reset” your system by cutting out “unhealthy, hormone-unbalancing, gut-disrupting, inflammatory food groups for a full 30 days.”
Bison Chili: This chili delivers just as much comfort as its beef-centered counterparts, but that’s not all. Made in a slow cooker, it can easily be incorporated into your weeknight meal plan. (via Civilized Caveman Cooking Creations)
Have you tried any of these diets? Share your thoughts and experiences with us below!
