2018 Diet Trends

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In 2015, 58% of women and 68% of men living in the UK were obese or overweight. With these worrying figures, it comes as no surprise that two thirds of the British public admit that they are on a diet all or ‘most of the time’, and 48% of them have lost weight in the same year. As January approaches, weight loss and healthy eating are very common new year’s resolutions across the UK. According to The Telegraph, 33% of resolution makers want to lose weight, and 32% want to eat more healthily. With this in mind, MaxiMuscle investigate what the biggest diet trends could be in 2018.

Bulking

Fitness enthusiasts tend to go through phases throughout the year where their diet changes. Terms such as cutting season, off season and bulking were recognised throughout the fitness industry. Bulking in particular, is a diet that requires an intake of excess calories to provide your body with additional energy and protein to build muscle. When in bulk season, someone is purposely providing their body with a calorie surplus. There are many different things though that people will use to help them bulk up. This might be increasing their portion sizes, or alternatively they might look to include products like Huel in their diet (you can check out this Huel Review here).

Similar to a cutting diet, a bulking diet will still consist of the three main macronutrients of carbohydrates, lean protein and essential fats, but the quantity is likely to be higher to ensure they consume enough calories. Protein shakes are often consumed before and/or after workouts too for additional calorie intake and a protein boost. They can also be taken as a snack or meal replacement in some cases.

The key to bulking is keeping count of your calorie intake. However, in an article by the Huffington Post, it was revealed that 33% of women don’t know how many calories they consume on a daily basis, whilst 42% of men said the same. Bulking requires commitment and careful calorie counting, alongside a strict workout routine.

Vegan

In 2016, the number of vegans living in the UK increased by 360% when compared to the previous ten years, and figures from 2017’s Veganuary campaign suggest that the increase is likely to have continued in 2017, and will continue into 2018. In January this year, over 60,000 people officially signed up to take part in Veganuary which showed a progressive 260% growth on figures from 2016. Whilst the campaign only lasts for the month of January each year, it aims to encourage people to alter their diets as a long-term lifestyle change and live by a predominantly plant-based diet.

The average vegan diet is said to be typically higher in fibre and vitamin C, whilst also lower in saturated fat, than a diet that containing meat. The health benefits are big motivators for those who want to adopt, or trial, a vegan diet during January. In 2017, of the official participants that signed up for Veganuary, 19,206 of them said they signed up for health reasons.

5:2 Diet

The 5:2 diet is typically known as an intermittent fasting diet where you split your diet between eating at certain times and then fasting during other times. The 5:2 refers to five days of eating and two days of fasting. The NHS reports that some followers of the diet claim it can improve lifespan and brain function whilst protecting against particular health conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. However, scientific evidence about the effectiveness of the diet is limited – but the NHS reports that there is some evidence to suggest the diet may lower the risk of certain obesity-related cancers, such as breast cancer.

With the 5:2 diet, fasting for just two days, rather than seven days a week, is achievable. This way you could help reduce body fat and insulin resistance. However, be aware that fasting too much and skipping meals can cause dizziness and headaches.

The Paleo Diet

Also referred to as the caveman diet, the Paleo diet predominantly consists of foods that can be hunted such as meat and seafood, and foods that can be gathered such as plant-based foods. Cereal grains and processed foods are strictly off the menu. The Paleo diet claims it is a lifestyle that consists of a small portion of meat, with lot of vegetables, fruits and some nuts. This diet is more of a long-term eating plan that helps to lose weight and can reduce the risk of diabetes.

Free-From Diets

Free-from diets, including gluten-free diets and dairy-free diets, are becoming incredibly popular across the UK and on a global scale. Many people live by a gluten-free diet for health reasons, because they suffer from Coeliac disease. The disease affects 1 in 100 people in the UK and Europe but it is suggested that only 24% of people with the condition have been clinically diagnosed. There is also 65% of the UK public who have a reduced ability to digest lactose. But it is not just sufferers who live a free-from diet. In the first month of 2017 alone, 54% of households also bought ‘free-from’ products, too.

A gluten-free diet has been shown to benefit sufferers of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) as well as Coeliac sufferers – and a dairy-free diet can prevent bloating, clear skin, improve digestion, and prevent oxidative stress, to name just a few benefits. Weight loss is also a possibility with a transition towards a dairy-free diet.

Temporary fix or lifestyle change?

For many people, commitment to a diet is an attempt to try and lose weight. When they reach that weight, they often revert back to their old ways – it becomes a temporary fix, before they move on to a new diet trend, revert back to old habits or simply give up. However, the most effective and safest way to diet is to change your lifestyle for the better instead of yoyo dieting. Find something that works, that you enjoy and stick with it to ensure you maintain a healthy balance.