MEPX
Chapter 7 of 10All chapters
  1. 1What food is made of
  2. 2Energy balance
  3. 3What is broadly agreed
  4. 4Why the science is hard
  5. 5Common myths
  6. 6Reading labels
  7. 7Diets
  8. 8Supplements
  9. 9Water, salt and alcohol
  10. 10Practical and honest

Chapter 7 of 10

Diets

Why they all work and then stop.

Head to head

Trials comparing low carbohydrate, low fat and other popular approaches find similar average outcomes. Adherence explains most of the difference between individuals.

  • Restriction produces early loss; sustainability decides the year.
  • Any diet that eliminates whole food groups needs a plan for the nutrients lost.

Intermittent fasting

Restricting eating windows works largely by reducing total intake. Evidence for benefits beyond that is mixed, and it suits some people and not others.