No-added Sugar Diet Headlines read “Sugar: as addictive as cocaine” and well-known physicians are advising their patients to avoid added sugars in their diet. Should you follow this diet trend? Let’s get few facts straight first.

What is it?

A non-added sugar diet means avoiding refined sugars, sweetened beverages, processed foods containing sugar and foods with high-fructose corn syrup. You can have fruits and healthy carbohydrates.

Can you lose weight?

The answer is yes. Cutting sodas, baked goods and candy from your diet will cut calories and will promote weight loss.   Also sugar is metabolized quickly so when you become hungry shortly after eating. By cutting sugar and eating a balanced diet, it will be easier to have a better weight. Cravings usually diminish as your body gets used to this new diet.

Strategies to follow the diet:

• Cut all sweet beverages
• Consume all your carbohydrates with fiber
• Learn to prepare naturally low sugar desserts
• Eat a balanced diet to prevent cravings

Gluten Free Diet Fact or fad? We still don’t know. Certainly gluten, the protein in wheat, may promote inflammation and bloating in some individuals while for most it is perfectly safe. The Academy of Dietetics and Nutrition recommends eating whole grains while other health care practitioners recommend eliminating gluten from the diet.

What foods contain gluten?

All wheat products such as bread, baked goods, cereal and beer contain gluten. In addition some oats and even soy sauce may contain gluten.

Can you lose weight?

Eliminating gluten may result in weight loss if you are a person that eats pizza, hamburgers, large amounts of bread and other high calorie foods. Also, if you have sensitivity or intolerance to gluten you will feel better and inflammation will reduce. If your body tolerates gluten and you have an overall healthy diet, restricting a whole wheat bread or other gluten containing foods will not make a difference.

Strategies to follow the diet:

• Eliminate wheat products such as bread and cereal
• Read labels to avoid gluten
• Find alternative sources of carbohydrates. Root vegetables, corn and fruits can be consumed.

Anti-inflammatory Diet Obesity is thought to be an inflammatory process and in 2015 we will hear a lot more of the diet that elite athletes are following.

What is it?

This diet promotes the consumption of anti-inflammatory foods. These include foods high in omega-3 fatty acids such as fish, flaxseed, walnuts, non-processed foods, vegetables and fruits. It also limits the intake of inflammatory foods such as processed foods, sugar, refined carbohydrates and gluten.

Can you lose weight?

Yes! While you still have to be careful with portion control, this diet emphasizes healthier, lower calorie foods making it an easy way to lose weight.