Dietitian reveals which popular diets are fads and the programs that will help you shed the kilos

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There are many popular diets out there, including blood type and Pioppi diets
But it can be difficult to tell which are fad approaches and which are healthy
Dietitian Lyndi Cohen revealed to FEMAIL which work and which are fads
She praised both the Mediterranean and Pioppi, and criticised keto and more

By Sophie Haslett For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 17:47 EST, 6 November 2018 | Updated: 17:53 EST, 6 November 2018

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Almost every month, a new diet appears that promises the secret to weight loss success.

But how to separate the Mediterranean approach from the Keto diet or the ever popular counting your macros?

To help, accredited dietitian Lyndi Cohen revealed to FEMAIL which popular diets are fads and which really work in helping you to lose weight and keep it off.

These days, there are many popular dietary approaches around, including counting your macros (pictured: Madalin Giorgetta, who is a fan of counting macros)

The Ketogenic diet (pictured) has become increasingly popular in recent times, with everyone from Gwyneth Paltrow to Vanessa Hudgens said to be a fan

KETOGENIC DIET

The Ketogenic diet has become increasingly popular in recent times, with everyone from Gwyneth Paltrow to Vanessa Hudgens said to be a fan.

However, dietitian Lyndi Cohen (pictured) said this is totally a fad approach to eating

'The Ketogenic diet is a high fat, medium protein and very low carbohydrate way of eating that is designed to put your body into a state called ketosis,' Lyndi told Daily Mail Australia.

'The idea is that when your body doesn't have enough carbohydrates, it uses fat instead.'

Often referred to as the 'new Atkins', Lyndi said that while you might get results from the Ketogenic diet, it isn't healthy to do it over a long period of time:

'It's highly restrictive, without much room for flexibility,' she added.

VERDICT: Fad

MEDITERRANEAN DIET

Long touted as the secret to a lengthy, healthy life, the Mediterranean diet is less of a diet and more of an 'approach to healthy eating'.

'Nothing is off limits in this approach,' Lyndi said. 'Instead, the diet promotes eating plenty of fruit and vegetables, as well as wholegrains, healthy fats like avocado and nuts, with some fish for protein.'

The Mediterranean diet is low in meat, as well as refined and processed sugary foods.

'Of all the diets, the Mediterranean diet is the one that is backed up with the most scientific research,' Lyndi said.

'This is not a fad and I would whole-heartedly recommend following this style of eating to improve your health.'

Verdict: Worth following

'Of all the diets, the Mediterranean diet is the one that is backed up with the most scientific research,' Lyndi said (stock image)

BLOOD TYPE

One of the weirder approaches to dieting, the blood type diet sees devotees eat according to your blood type.

This diet is based on the idea that your blood type is a key factor in predicting your body weight, nutritional requirements, risk of chronic disease, and overall well-being.

According to this diet, those with Type A blood should eat vegetarian, those with type B should avoid chicken, corn, wheat, lentils, tomatoes, peanuts, and sesame seeds, those with type O should eat limited carbs and increased protein and type AB should avoid caffeine, alcohol and cured meats.

'There is no scientific evidence to suggest you need to eat according to your blood type,' Lyndi said.

'While there is a benefit in listening to your body's needs, as we are all different using your blood type to determine your diet is as inaccurate as planning your life around your horoscope.'

Verdict: Fad

Similar to the Mediterranean diet, the Pioppi diet dictates that its followers should emulate those in the small village of Pioppi, southern Italy, who live long, healthy lives (stock image)

PIOPPI DIET

Similar to the Mediterranean diet, the Pioppi diet dictates that its followers should emulate those in the small village of Pioppi, southern Italy, who live long, healthy lives.

In reality, this translates to plenty of fruits, vegetables, wholegrains and healthy fats, but unlike the Mediterranean diet, many carbs including bread and pasta are off the list.

'Unlike most fads, the Pioppi diet goes beyond food recommendations and also suggests exercises and other ways to reduce stress,' Lyndi said.

'As far as diets go, this is a healthier option. However, with a list of forbidden foods it can be difficult to follow in the long term.'

Verdict: Worth trying

COUNTING MACROS

Many Instagram bloggers and nutritionists swear that counting your macros is the secret to getting a lean and toned physique.

Counting macros is a dieting approach that suggests eating a specific amount of carbohydrates, fat and protein for optimal results.

'While people will experience weight loss as a result of counting their macros, this diet requires a constant recording of everything you eat which can lead to an obsession around food,' Lyndi said.

'For many people, counting macros is unsustainable and can lead to people falling off the bandwagon.'

Verdict: Fad

When it comes to counting your macros (pictured), while Lyndi said it will give results, she also argued that it is not often sustainable

INTERMITTENT FASTING

Lastly, intermittent fasting is a dieting method where you restrict what you eat at different times of the day or the week.

There are a number of different options available, the most popular of which is the 16/8, which means you fast for 16 hours of every day, or the 5/2, which means you fast two days of the week.

'This works because you restrict calories and research shows that semi-starvation diets can have benefits for insulin sensitivity and weight,; Lyndi said.

'But if you don't want to fast periodically for the rest of your life, the results will be short lived.'

Verdict: Fad

DIETITIAN VERDICT

Finally, Lyndi said that there is no perfect diet for everyone. Instead, you need to find what works for you.

'All diets work, until you can no longer maintain them,' she said.

'While you may lose weight or boost your health from a diet, if you can't maintain it then you'll struggle with consistency.

'Before starting a new diet, ask yourself, can I live on this diet for the rest of my life?'.

Instead, the author of the Keep It Real program recommends a balanced approach to food, enjoying a little of everything in moderation for real and lasting results.