2022 Diet Trends and Whether or Not You Should Jump on the Bandwagon

South Beach, Atkins, Paleo, Keto… the list goes on and on of diets that people have tried in an effort to lose weight and enact a healthy lifestyle.

Now that 2022 is in full swing, you may be wondering what “dieters” are obsessing over now. Are any of this year’s trendy diets really sustainable and worth jumping on the bandwagon for?

In our opinion, no. Trendy and fad diets just aren’t the answer to achieve long-term health.

We believe in eating whole, real, nutritious foods. But that doesn't mean we can’t take a look at top diet trends for 2022 and even get some good advice of what might be good to incorporate into your daily meals.

3 Top Diet Trends for 2022

It’s no surprise that the best diets for 2022 remain basically unchanged from 2021. The Mediterranean Diet, the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), and the Flexitarian Diet are some of the top three diets according to nutritionists.

All three have some of the same principles in common - lean means, healthy fats and whole grains. But let’s take a closer look at each before deciding whether or not these diets can or should be maintained for the long run.

#1 The Mediterranean Diet

The Mediterranean Diet incorporates traditional flavors and methods of the popular European region, and numerous studies have shown that this heart-healthy diet can help prevent heart disease and strokes.

The Basic Principles of the Mediterranean Diet

Plant-based foods like whole grains, legumes, fruits, nuts, seeds, vegetables are the foundation.
Olive oil is the main source of “good” fats.
Fish, dairy, poultry and seafood are added in moderation.
Red meat and sweets are enjoyed sparingly.

Getting started with the Mediterranean Diet includes building meals around vegetables, beans and whole grains; incorporating fish twice a week; substituting all oils with olive oil and serving fruit for dessert.

#2 The DASH Diet

The DASH Diet is designed to help treat or prevent high blood pressure, but can also be good for weight loss or maintenance.

The Basic Principles of the DASH Diet

Includes foods that are rich in potassium, calcium and magnesium.
Limit foods that are high in sodium, saturated fats and added sugar.

The typical American diet includes an astoundingly high 3,400+ mg of sodium daily (wow!). The DASH Diet looks to keep sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg daily.

To accomplish this, add in foods that are fat-free or low-fat dairy products, fish, poultry, beans and nuts. As you work to reduce sodium and processed foods, your palate will change though it may take some time to adjust to this new lifestyle.

#3 The Flexitarian Diet

Combining the two words “flexible” and “vegetarian”, the Flexitarian Diet focuses on adding five food groups to your diet rather than taking some away.

The Basic Principles of the Flexitarian Diet

Focus on “new meats” like beans and eggs, fruits, vegetables, whole grains and dairy.
Be calorie-conscious and follow a three-four-five regimen:

Breakfast around 300 calories
Lunch around 400 calories
Dinner around 500 calories
Adding in two snacks at 150 calories each puts you at 1,500 for the day

Worst Diets for 2022

Diets that ranked worst on the list are those that focus on a “quick fix” rather than a lifestyle change. These quick fixes aren’t maintainable for the long haul and many find themselves in a “yo-yo” trend.

While these diets are trendy and may be what you see on your social media feeds, they focus on eliminating certain foods or food groups, and call for extreme deprivation or changes. Diets like the Paleo Diet, Keto Diet, Whole30 or Raw Food Diets fall into this category.

Why Drastic Diets Don’t Work

Focusing on eliminating foods won’t set you up for long-term success. Some diets focus on eliminating certain food groups altogether, which can lead to nutritional deficiencies and really do some long-term harm.

Often with “crash diets” you’re losing muscle mass, which can be dangerous, or water, which will come back quickly.

Stick to diets that focus on promoting a healthy lifestyle that can be maintained for the long haul.

Check Out Mealfit for Nutrition Made Easy

If you’re looking to make changes in 2022, consider a meal delivery service like Mealfit.

Diets don’t have to be strict and leave you completely deprived. We believe they should actually be quite the opposite - loaded with lots of whole, nutritious foods that satisfy your taste buds and your body.

Our home-cooked meals will keep you and your family out of the drive-through and on track with healthy habits. Check out our delicious weekly specials or sign up for our emails to receive healthy recipes straight to your inbox.