It’s a common saying: The best diet is the diet you can stick to. As it turns out, this saying may actually now be a proven scientific fact, according to a new study from McMaster University.
The research, which looked at nearly 50 different studies, reveals that people lost weight regardless of what diet they tried–whether that was the Atkins diet, going Paleo, or eating a macronutrient-based diet.
However, researchers note that low-fat and low-carb diets provided more weight loss overall for participants.
“Low-carb or low-fat diets resulted in the most weight loss, but despite a difference of a few pounds between groups, all the programs in the study were about equally effective,” says Bradley C. Johnston, a researcher from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. “The weight loss differences between branded diet programs were small with likely little importance to those seeking to lose weight.”
Performing a meta-analysis, Johnston looked at a total of 49 randomized studies involving 11 different diets, including low-carb diets, low-fat diets, and other popular diets such as the South Beach diet. In all of the studies, the participants were either overweight or obese–making weight loss not just ideal, but necessary.
Compared to not dieting at all, Johnston found that all of the diets helped people lose weight, regardless of the foods or beverages consumed. However, those who went on a low-carb or low-fat diet ended up losing more weight overall.
However, there wasn’t a significant advantage for those following a low-carb or low-fat diet compared to the other diets in the study.
“I think in general when people follow a specific plan and have a support system and guidelines that pull them away from their normal everyday behavior, I would expect to see weight loss,” says Lindsay Malone, a Cleveland Clinic registered dietitian. “with either one you’re making a lot of significant changes, eliminating junk food and junk calories.”
Bottom line? It doesn’t matter what diet you follow–it just matters that you’re sticking to it.
However, Johnston acknowledges that “branded” diets, such as the Atkins diet, may provide an easier alternative for people due to the availability of already-prepared foods, recipes, and online support.
“Branded diets are likely more effective than general dietary guidelines because they typically involve a comprehensive program including behavioral support and physical activity,” says Johnston. “Some also include prepared foods, recipes and meal ideas.”
What You Should Do
Desperate to lose weight? Then it’s simple: Just go on a diet. Research shows you’ll lose weight anyway, provided you stay on a diet. Make sure it’s a diet you enjoy, however–going on a diet that makes you miserable can lead to more slip-ups down the road, say researchers.
“We know that you can achieve weight loss with more than one type of diet,” says Malone. “The diet that really should be presented or offered to people is the one they’re going to stick to.”
Readers: What is your favorite diet plan?
Sources:
Study: Diet Programs Work But Brand Doesn’t Matter – FoxNews.com
Low Fat or Low Carb Diet? Almost Any Healthy Diet Can Work When it Comes to Losing Weight – Harvard.edu
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