Each year we see more and more fad diets making an appearance. Some are carried over from the previous year and some are new. Most of these diets promise rapid weight loss and a slim figure. But just how healthy are these diets.

No doubt, some are effective and healthy. But most are unhealthy and can give rise to health complications. Even 2020 will see its fair share of diets. And most people will be tempted to try out at least one of them. This is why, we are listing a few diets that you need to stay away from. At the same time, we also reveal the healthy diets that you can go for.

Here are a few diets that are not backed by any research. The focus is not on balanced meals. These are diets that you can avoid in 2020.

Here, you have to eat according to the cycles of the moon. You have only juice for 24 hours during a full moon and not eat anything after 6 pm during other moon phases. There is no scientific basis to this diet.

This is a very restrictive diet and unsustainable. If you are going on a diet, you need to pick one that will enable you to follow it through. You have to avoid whole grains, fruits and vegetables. This is again unhealthy. This is again a diet you can do without.

This can cause dehydration, so you need to avoid this diet. Juicing cleans out your colon but it does very little good otherwise. It is not a sustainable diet. Moreover, you may end up feeling more hungry and this may make you overeat once this diet is over. It can also cause digestive abnormalities.

All diets are not bad. Here are a few diets you can safely follow in 2020.

This diet will help you lose oodles of weight. At the same time, it will not let you feel hunger. You have to avoid carbs, alcohol and juices. You dont count calories and you are allowed to have snacks and desserts. You can eat anything but in moderation.

This is also a healthy diet which focusses on whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Lean protein and sweets are also allowed in moderation. It does not make you feel a sense of deprivation. It is sustain able and healthy.

This is the most healthy diets of all times. No wonder it is popular among fitness enthusiasts and celebrities. You eat more plant-based foods like vegetables, salads, fresh fruits, beans, nuts and whole grains. Cheese, seeds and olive oil are allowed. Fish protein is very important here. You are allowed to have moderate amounts of poultry and or red meat with low to moderate amounts of wine daily. It is sustainable and healthy.

Published : January 1, 2020 10:23 am | Updated:January 2, 2020 10:15 am

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Best and worst diets to follow in the year 2020 - TheHealthSite

What better resolution than to do our small part to treat our planet, this "pale blue dot" rocketing us safely through the vastness of inhospitable space, a little better? It is supporting 7.7 billion human beings, after all. So here are five ways (in no particular order) you can kick off the new decade to be a better friend to the Earth.

1. Get out of your car

Yes, driving is convenient and can be fun (when you're not stuck in traffic). But it's polluting that's not water vapor pouring out of your tailpipe and can be a stress-causing exercise. Transportation is a major contributor to emissions of heat-trapping carbon dioxide. So try walking, biking or taking the bus more. It's good for your body, your blood pressure and our planet.

2. Eat less meat

Don't eliminate it completely from your diet, just try to eat less of it. "Eating red meat is not good for your heart, and it's not good for your environment," saidMark Nystrom, the city of Eugene's climate recovery ordinance analyst. Livestock production is the largest global source of methane and nitrous oxide, two potent greenhouse gases that originate from manure and fertilizers used in the production of cattle feed, according to one report.

3. Plant a tree

Trees absorb carbon dioxide, release oxygen, provide shade and prevent erosion. Nystrom noted the city's tree canopy has receded slightly with development. Joining an environmental group like Friends of Trees can reverse that trend. "There's a social benefit of meeting new people and at the same time you're planting a tree," Nystrom said. And if planting trees aren't your thing, there's many other local environmental groups looking for volunteers to help our planet.

4. Regulate your garden's water intake

Plant native or drought-tolerant plants. Install drip irrigation. Water late at night or early in the morning. Water is our most precious resource humans don't survive long without it and it's not too hard to conserve in the garden."Little things like that can go a long way," saidErica Chernoh, horticulture specialist for Oregon State University Extension Services in Lane County. Also, be careful with the amount of fertilizer you use as applying too much can pollute groundwater.

5. Look out for bees

Bees, the world's most prolific pollinators, need our help as their numbers worldwide decline. Gardeners can support the flying insect by planting flowering plants that bloom year-round, reserving an open spot in their garden for ground nesters and building a bee hotel, a fun activity you can do with your kids, Chernoh said. Whether you offer concierge service is up to you.

Christian Hill on Twitter @RGchill. Email christian.hill@registerguard.com.

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A better you in 2020: Earth-care - The Register-Guard

The start of solid foods represents the start of an entirely new world for your baby a world filled with delicious culinary adventures from bright strawberries and plump peaches to cool and creamy ice cream.

But just when can you start your little one on baby food? Here's what you need to know.

Starting your baby on solid food too early can be dangerous. For one, they may accidentally suck food into their airway or lungs, which could cause choking or pneumonia.

Plus, researchers have found that introducing solid foods before four months of age is linked to negative health effects, such as obesity and certain autoimmune disorders later in life. So it's important not to introduce baby food before your baby is ready.

And contrary to certain popular beliefs, starting your baby on solid foods will not help them sleep longer through the night. So, if that's what you're after, sleep training is a better option.

First things first: the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that parents should only feed their baby breast milk for about the first six months of life. This is because breast milk contains all the nutrients a child needs early on and can protect the baby from infectious and chronic diseases, according to the World Health Organization.

However, all babies are different and, depending on their developmental stage, you can, in some cases, start babies on solid food as early as four months, says Kara Willoughby, MD, a pediatrician with Spectrum Health Medical Group Pediatrics.

Willoughby says that she looks for developmental milestones that show the baby has gained the head and neck strength they need in order to safely swallow solid food. You can look for signs such as:

The AAP hasn't found any conclusive evidence that introducing foods in a certain order, like giving vegetables before sweets, makes a big difference.

This is mostly because babies, by nature, are almost always going to show a preference for sweets. However, Willoughby says that their office advises parents to start with vegetables and work from the least sweet to the sweetest. (It can't hurt, right?)

She recommends starting with foods in the following order:

1. Green foods, such as green beans, avocados and peas

2. Squashes, sweet potatoes, and carrots

3. Fruits, such as pears, apples, and bananas

"Avocados are always a great food to start with because they are packed full of nutrients," Willoughby tells Insider. "Cereals [rice or oatmeal] are great as well and are fortified with iron."

The AAP also recommends that as your baby eats more solid food, you should encourage self-feeding with appropriate finger foods and spoons, as well as drinking from a cup when they're around six months old.

When it comes to choosing store-bought versus homemade baby food, Willoughby's official stance is that what's best is "whatever works best for your lifestyle."

"If you have time to make it great," she says. "If not, that's great too! We just ask that if you make it yourself, try to avoid seasonings and additives such as salt, sugar, and butter work on developing simple tastes."

After you've officially introduced solids, you should still continue to breastfeed as you are able.

"Breastmilk is going to continue to provide your baby with essential nutrients in addition to immunity and germ-fighting power," Willoughby says.

Even when your baby begins eating solids, around six months old, breastmilk or formula should still be your child's main source of calories and nutrients. Because breastmilk and formula have the essential fat, calcium, and other vitamins and minerals that their growing bodies need.

"Their appetites may become smaller as they are growing less quickly during this time, and as their diet is supplemented with solid foods, but breastmilk and formula will continue to be an important part of their intake," Willoughby says.

Willoughby explains that infants should consume approximately 24 ounces of breastmilk or formula a day, up to, and beyond age one. After one year, you can continue to give them breast milk, or you can switch your baby to whole milk, along with plenty of water with their meals.

More here:
How to tell when babies can eat baby food, and which foods to start with - INSIDER

As humans, with the curiosity to learn and the drive to create + experience, we can nourish our minds, souls, and bodies to the fullest extent possible. Yet recently, and especially within the wellness space, we have exploited the notion of balance. We've created conflicting diets, programs, and trends that tell you to eat "x" and avoid "y" at all costs. It can leave us obsessive, anxious, frustrated, or shameful. We forget the power of food as medicine and turn it into a way to look our best.

After years of trying various different diet plans out there and being vegan for 2 years, healthy or "clean" eating to me looks like enjoying beautiful, wholesome foods that you actually look forward to and completely S A V O R. It's developing an active and healthy intuition-based relationship with food. It's being able to listen to your body and eat what you know your body wants. When we eat from a place of love - a love for the food itself and the experience of eating or sharing a meal - we are so much more able to give our body exactly what it needs.

The idea of having "balance" can be overused and lose its potency. It's a beautiful notion, but if we obsess over the purpose of maintaining a perfect balance in everything we do, we set ourselves up to fail. We're never going to obtain balance, but if we can decide to show up as we are then, we're able to rise and meet our highest self. Balance is eating a leafy, veggie-rich salad because your body hasn't had greens in a while; it's also enjoying a decadent cup of hot cocoa while snuggled up on the couch with your family. Finding balance and tapping into your intuition is never fear-based or controlling, it's listening inward and following mindful food choices that lead to a strong sense of what works for YOUR body and eventually leads to your everyday reality.

You have to determine what works for YOU and you alone. Each meal is a gift and energy you have the opportunity to create. Give yourself forgiveness and release any guilt you have around food. Choose to rediscover your body through food.

Tips for maintaining balance + eating clean in 2020

Keep a food journal. Start with 3 days and write down everything you eat and how you felt after. After three days, notice if any patterns or observations that come up. Every food has a different energy and responds to your unique body differently.

Each meal is an opportunity to start fresh. Say, for example, there's a night where you had bowl after bowl of ice cream, and you end of feeling a wash of shame over it (as we so often do when it comes to what we eat). Instead, tell yourself that you can start the day fresh tomorrow with a nutrient-dense brekkie. We can always begin again. A bump along the way is just that a bump not a detour.

Practice gratitude. While you're preparing your food or during a meal, find gratitude in the practice of fueling your body with the bounty given us here on the planet. Listen to soulful music that brings you happiness and makes you want to dance as you pour love into your meal.

Similarly, try to prepare your own food as often as you can! You're so much more intentional in what you eat when you make a dish yourself and know what ingredients are going directly into your body. This will also give you the opportunity to make more health-conscious substitutions. For example, if you're gluten-free and the recipe calls for flour, you can sub a wheat-free, nutrient-dense flour.

Allow yourself a treat every once in a while! It's a source of pleasure and a way to let go. There are 365 days in a year, and if we commit to fueling and nourishing our body then there are definitely times here and there when we can enjoy the birthday cake, cookies, fries, etc. that feel GOOD at that moment.

Create a clean food kitchen. Toss out anything processed, anything with high fructose corn syrup, anything with gluten, and anything that you question whether it's healthy or not. Don't be afraid to let it go, I promise you you can always find it again at the store if you MUST have it.

Don't worry so much about calories [that's so 1990's! ]but instead about nutrients. If you eat nutrient-dense foods, you will be full and satiated for longer. The rule of thumb when you're eating is to think about NUTRIENTS, not just energy/calories. Ask yourself what NUTRIENTS are in your meal, not just putting empty calories into your body. For example, when reaching for a snack, don't eat 5 rice crackers because they are low in calories, eat an apple, and a handful of almonds because then you're getting vitamins, fiber, protein, and good fats (and you'll stay fuller longer!).

Read more:
Why We Ditched Corporate to Empower Women & Girls - SWAAY

Its 2020.

Even not so long ago, that year seemed so futuristic a date youd slap on something to indicate a gleaming or smoggy world, depending on your outlook, crowded with flying cars, no matter what your outlook. Just think of all the post-2000 pop culture reference dates weve passed. We just closed out the original Blade Runner year (and were closer to the year in which the new movie is set than the one in which the original was made). Were three years past Billy Joels Miami 2017 (and NYC is still standing).

This doesnt mean a whole lot, of course, because time is a construct, but its a construct thats useful in shaping our lives and setting goals and freaking us out a little. And so here we are, looking at the year and the decade ahead and thinking about what we hope to accomplish.

In 2018, the Denverite team made this list of Denver resolutions that are all still relevant and doable in 2020. If youre looking for some inspiration, start there.

This year, as in 2019, we asked influential Denverites what they hope to personally accomplish or what they hope we as a city accomplish in the next one to 10 years. Here, in their own words, is what they told us.

Off the top of my head, things I hope for Denver in 2020 and beyond, that I will put my energy towards:

In 2020, I look forward to completing my debut novel, which is set in Denver throughout the 1930s, and I am elated to begin work on a third book (an idea Ive been daydreaming on for some years).

I am not one to make resolutions for an entire city, but in the coming decade I hope Denver can more justly seek growth while also honoring the lives of residents who have lived here for generations. I hope the city takes steps to ensure more affordable housing. I hope the histories of our indigenous communities and people of color are centered and widely told. And I hope no one from our city ever feels forgotten, distorted or erased.

My new years resolution is to stay focused on our residents priorities of improving transportation, affordability and equity, and leveling the playing field for everyone in Denver and of course, spending some quality time with my adorable new grandbaby.

Im one of those radicals who wants change, like, yesterday but I also realize how lethargic progress can be. So what I want for Denver is for it to be recognized as the indigenous land it is. I want housing to be a human right. I want free accessible public transit. I want actual health care for all. I want prison, and ICE to be done with. And I want capitalism to die once and for all!

Is that too much to ask in 10 years?

Make Denver and its government more accessible for everyone.

And in 2020 Im going meatless on Mondays. Considering Im originally from Texas, it wont be as easy as it sounds, but its good for the planet and for animals.

I have the same basic goals for every new year:1. Make good things.2. Do meaningful stuff.3. Build with great people.4. Go dope places.

2020 resolution: respectful discourse.

No one knows everything, yet our community debates and conversations can quickly get nasty and polemic. If the City is for it, then it must be a lame deal or, those NIMBYs are the epitome of white privilege are a couple of examples Ive witnessed in various 2019 community meetings. Impugning peoples motives and the arrogance embedded in group-think are real barriers to achieving great things in Denver.

The resolution that I will apply for myself and that I hope others living and working in Denver also employ is to ask more questions and get agreement on the end-goals. By asking more questions, I can better understand why someone believes what they do, or why things are the way they are. When focusing on the goals and outcomes, we can identify where we have agreement on the issues. From there the strategies and tactics may diverge, but perhaps we can agree to try a variety of strategies and tactics, one at a time, starting with the ideas that have worked well in the past, and learn which work best.

A very happy new year for all Denverites!

Supervised Use Sites (SUS) are legally sanctioned and supervised facilities designed to reduce the health problems associated with injection drug use. They allow the consumption of pre-obtained drugs under hygienic and low-risk conditions. Commonly, the purpose of SUSs are to reduce public disorder and enhance public safety, reduce overdose morbidity and mortality, reduce transmission of blood-borne infections, and improve access to other health and social services and treatment services. This initiative is supported by people who use drugs, moms, businesses, treatment/recovery centers, faith communities, homeless service providers and medical societies.

According to the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, overdose is the leading cause of death of unhoused community members, again in 2019. Seventy percent were meth overdoses or a combination of meth and other substances.

No one has ever died of an overdose at any SUS around the world in 11 countries and over 150 sites. The same cannot be said for local Starbucks, libraries, RTD transit stations, Subway, 7-Elevens, etc.

Denver City Council passed an ordinance in the fall of 2018 in anticipation of statewide legislation. We hope that the Colorado State Legislators will make this a priority in2020.

I hope in 2020 and beyond we can find ways to increase community support for local journalism on all platforms. Our democracy needs a healthy Fourth Estate!

What else? This is more of a wish list than a list of resolutions:

1. government emails and text messages that dont disappear so quickly;2. unencrypted police radio transmissions; |3. public records that dont cost the public an arm and a leg to obtain;4. a statewide standard for the suppression of court records5. fewer executive sessions;6. more disclosure of police body-camera footage.

And another World Series title for the Cubs.

1. I got a road bike in the 2010s and started biking more and driving less. Last year, I rode my bike to work 101 days, and next year, and each year thereafter, Id like to bike commute at least 100 days again. Its good for my health, my mood, my parenting, city traffic and the planet.

2. I was privileged to travel for two beach vacations last year, and felt horrified to see the amount of plastics and garbage washing up onto remote beaches as well as serious damage to coral reefs, so in 2020 and beyond, I plan to continue to try and reduce my dependence on plastics, by using reusable bags and containers, and to use only reef-safe sunblock.

3. Last year we worked to raise Denvers minimum wage. This was a great start. In 2020 and for as long as it takes, I pledge to continue to fight for Denvers families, in Metro Carings community and beyond. I believe that no parent working full time or more should struggle to put food on the table for their kids, and that we can and need to do a better job taking care of elders in our community whove worked their whole lives, and those unable to work, so that all can live healthy, dignified lives. I plan to show up for Paid Family Medical Leave at the statehouse, push back against RTD service cuts, and push our institutions and elected officials to continue to do better for all families.

One thing I plan to do for myself and the city is drive a couple miles below the speed limit. That will give me more reaction time and decrease the likelihood of getting into a crash.

I will also try to bring forth the good times, get on the good foot, and let it whip.

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New Year and New Decade resolutions for Denver, by Denverites you know or should know - Denverite

Despite the recent influx of businesses focused on premium and wholesome (non-processed) pet food, there are still plenty of chances for breaking into this market.

A business specialising in raw pet food, for example, seems to present ample opportunity: I certainly expect the [pet food] industry to keep growing, says Cameorn, The Dog Nutritionist, so much so that I intend on making my own raw dog food in the near future. There are a growing number of vets who will recommend [raw dog food], and this part of the pet food market is growing rapidly.

Furthermore, Brand Minds has noted that there is still great opportunities for growth in the areas of

Personalised pet food which is tailored to an animals specific health profile and delivered in subscription boxes covers all these three areas. Inspiration can be taken from market leaders such as Tails.com, whose CEO James Davidson explains that the company is essentially a lot of different businesses: were a personalised dog food manufacturer, a technology platform and a service business.

Tails online ordering system allows users to submit their pets health profile so that they can provide personalised boxes of meals and snacks that will allow the animal to reach optimal health. On the tech side of things, the company website explains how its sophisticated algorithm is applied to get the nutrient balance of your dogs food just right.

Taking things a step further than just the food itself, the Gigabit online magazines 2019 article on the pet-tech revolution presents several businesses who have gained success with technology-focused animal products and services aimed at improving animal health. It discusses the interesting concept of the Internet of Pets, and it references existing dog fitness tracker FitBark, which is already used by owners and vets worldwide to track the health profile of dogs. These gadgets would also fall into the category of luxury pet care, which Startups.co.uk covered previously as a top business idea for 2019 the pet industry just keeps on giving!

An original, innovative concept with high-grade, tailored and personalised pet food at its core seems to be the key to success in the world of pet food for 2020.

Vegan diets are becoming more and more common, but can our growing preference for plant-based food translate safely to the animal kingdom?

Sean McCormack, the Head Vet at Tails.com, says Were seeing more and more pet owners asking about vegetarian and vegan diets for pets. Aside from sustainability arguments, theres an ethics question here. Dogs and cats both enjoy meat and it is part of their natural diet. So, should we impose our values on them when keeping them as pets?

Although dogs are omnivores, and can technically survive on a plant-based diet, it is much more difficult to provide them with the ten essential amino acids they must have in their diet to thrive if we exclude meat.

Kathryn Eccles from the Millbry Hill pet specialists adds: Unlike humans, cats are obligate carnivores. Basically, this means their bodies are hard-wired to eat meat, and they can't produce certain essential amino acids they need to stay healthy like taurine without it. So, it's recommended that cats are given a high-protein, meat-based diet.

The general opinion from several experts is that vegan food and home cooking should be used to supplement a pet's diet rather than replace traditional meals, and that the nutritional profile of the species, breed and individual animal should be taken into account before any kind of veganisation of their diet is considered.

Therefore, a vegan pet food company might not be the most enduring or ethical idea. However, food aside, there are more vegan-inspired possibilities in the wider pet care industry. Craig Roberts, founder of Cooper and Gracie, decided to create a now highly successful plant-based range of pet care products after his beloved dog began to suffer from painful, itchy skin. We now research and develop specialist products and are striving to become a global leader within cruelty-free, 100% plant based and sustainable product development.

The company is currently aiming to complete its ambitious #10millionrescues mission of helping 10 million animals become cleaner and healthier with its products.

Ideas for a premium/tailored pet food or pet health business in 2020 could include:

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Business Ideas for 2020: Premium and tailored pet food - Startups.co.uk

Diets are funny things. They arent just a way to lose or gain weight a diet is part of your life.

Eating is one of the fundamental human recreational activities, which means that food is family, food is friends, food is sharing, culture and life no matter where you go.

What this means is that we are often really passionate about what we eat. This goes doubly for diets. Nothing starts an online argument more quickly than saying a diet any diet isnt the best of them all.

Which brings us to intermittent fasting. And why it probably isnt any better than most other diets, even if it is a bit more popular.

Hopefully we all escape the comments section alive.

Intermittent fasting describes a range of diets that all follow the same basic idea you eat as much as you want in a certain time period, but spend some portion of your life fasting by either eating very few calories or nothing at all. Some examples are the popular 5:2 diet, where you eat normally 5 days a week and restrict yourself to very little food on the other 2, or the various time-restricted fasts like the 10:14 or 16:8, where you only eat during a set number of hours a day.

The basic idea is that fasting causes any number of changes in your body, and that doing this regularly doesnt just help you restrict calories but actually modifies how your body works to make you healthier. Theres some research in mice and rats supporting this, showing that intermittent fasting can have impacts beyond the fact that youre eating a bit less, although other studies have sometimes failed to replicate these results.

If we can say nothing else definitive about intermittent fasting diets, its that they are incredibly popular. Celebrities endorse them, online testimonials praise them, and intermittent fasting is in the news as least once a month as the miracle diet that will solve your weight problems forever. Most recently, a study supposedly showed that moderate intermittent fasting regimens can have massive benefits for your life!

Sadly, the reality seems to be a bit less positive than the optimistic headlines.

While these stories sound fantastic on paper, when you look at the evidence as a whole intermittent fasting doesnt seem to do much better than any other diet. Most individual studies on intermittent fasting are quite small, but if you do whats known as a systematic review and meta-analysis combining the results of every study out there in a systematic way the whole picture becomes a bit clearer.

In review after review, looking at a wide range of studies on the topic we get the same picture: intermittent fasting makes people lose weight, sure, but not more than any other diet. Some studies have found very modest benefits for other potential health hazards, like high cholesterol and blood pressure, but these results are very preliminary and not universal across trials. Theres currently no good, consistent evidence that intermittent fasting is better than bog-standard low-calorie diets for heart disease, diabetes or a range of health conditions. Its possible that intermittent fasting is better, but so far the evidence just isnt there.

Some of this is probably because intermittent fasting is such a blanket term. The 5:2 diet isnt really that similar to the 16:8 one, but theyre lumped in together for convenience, and because they rely on the same basic theory. Its possible that weve simply yet to discover the best way to fast, especially considering that these diets are rarely tested directly against one another.

It seems that intermittent fasting works it makes you lose weight, improves blood pressure, and can even help with diabetes. The flipside is that it doesnt work any better than any other diet you can either restrict calories by cutting out a meal a day, or just making all of your meals smaller, for example. Theres also some evidence that intermittent eating patterns are associated with the development of eating disorders, although its not clear if this is just an association or whether the fasting might be causing psychological issues.

It can also be pretty hard to follow an intermittent fasting diet, because as I said food is more than just fuel. Skipping food entirely is easy until its your childs birthday party, or a religious festival, or theres a pop-up food event prominently featuring Korean fried chicken and luxury gelato.

Ultimately, intermittent fasting may seem like a silver bullet, but the evidence indicates that its really just one of many potentially effective dietary options.

As Ive said before, the best diet is usually the one that works for you.

See the article here:
Intermittent fasting is incredibly popular. But is it any better than other diets? - The Guardian