Different Types of Diets

In nutrition, the diet is simply the sum of what an individual or other organism eats over a period of time. It involves the modification of eating habits in an attempt to achieve the proper balance of nutrients and avoid excessive consumption of calories. It is often associated with weight loss and management. The term “diet” can be used in a lot of different ways. It can refer to a general effort to lose weight, to a specific eating plan or meal replacement program, and to a special diet.

One common use of the word diet is as a noun. When someone mentions a diet, usually they are referring to a specific diet. This article briefly discusses four common types of diets. The definition of each of these types is presented in entries 1 to 4. Additional information on each of the types of diet is also provided in subsequent entries.

An eater is not a dieter. In this meaning of the term, diet refers to a method of controlling one’s caloric intake. This can apply to a person who wishes to lose weight, for example, or to a child who is trying to eat healthier. In this sense of the word, diet is typically used to refer to a set of eating behaviors. For example, a diet can refer to a weight loss regime (such as that practiced by the Atkins Diet) or to a particular eating plan.

An eater is a dieter. In this usage of the term, diet refers to a method of controlling one’s calorie intake. For example, a diet can be called low calorie, high fiber, low fat, or vegetarian. These diet plans typically come from an individual’s personal needs and preferences and cannot be compared to typical dietary patterns. The Atkins Diet is a prime example of this type of diet.

An eater is not a carbohydrate scroller. In this usage of the term, diet refers to the method of controlling one’s calorie intake while at the same time burning off stored carbohydrates. Carbs are the energy sources utilized during exercise and other physical activities. This type of diet is appropriate for people who need a good amount of energy, but do not need a large amount of carbohydrates.

An eater is not a fat-burner. This use of the term is not inclusive of people who want to lose weight. On the Atkins Diet, for example, carbohydrates are burned off while fats are used up. The idea is to burn off body fat in addition to consuming a certain amount of carbohydrates (the Atkins diet, for example, provides a great deal of protein but very little fat). In other words, the Atkins diet does not require a fat-burning component, although many people will attempt to lose weight through its extreme restriction of carbohydrates. On the other hand, some dieters will burn fat after they consume red meat because of the nutrients found in meats.