As many prepare to write their New Year’s resolutions, a nutritionist has advised the Mirror which diets actually work in the long run, while cautioning against one food fad in particular

Many will be looking to make positive lifestyle changes as we enter 2024(Getty Images)

As part of our 2024 New Year’s resolutions, many of us will be looking for ways to make positive lifestyle changes – but there are some things you should bear in mind.

While some influencers may swear by certain food plans, it’s important to look out for red flags and do your research when trying out a healthier eating regime. As many of us start swapping the mid-morning mince pies for carrot sticks, a nutritionist has spoken with the Mirror about the do’s and don’t of January dieting – including the diet that many experts in the know swear by.




She’s also cautioned of the fads to avoid, with one eating plan in particular said to pose serious health risks.

The Mediterranean diet is known to be an excellent option for managing your weight in the long-term(Getty Images)

Eat like a Sardinian

GP and registered associate nutritionist Dr Sarah Cooke is one of several experts who swears by the Mediterranean diet, which promotes eating plenty of whole grains, nuts, oily fish, seeds leafy green vegetables, and healthy fats. Those who stick to this diet limit sugars and processed foods, and it’s regarded as a good long-term option for managing your weight in the long term.

Dr Cooke, who specialises in helping women shed weight and find balance with eating, told the Mirror: “Fad diets are just that – a fad because they’re often not sustainable for long-term weight loss and maintenance. A diet that promises quick results is going to rely on drastically cutting calories- leaving you feeling hungry, tired, and grumpy! If a diet is asking you to cut out food groups (like no carbs, no fat) then it is not a balanced diet and will not be sustainable in the long term. A diet that have always been popular is the Mediterranean diet- which is generally a very healthy diet and is safe in the long term.”

Drawing inspiration from foods traditionally eaten in countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea – such as France, Spain, Greece, and Italy, the Mediterranean diet is championed by nutrition guru Dr Michael Mosley, who has written extensively about its various in his best-selling books.

Sticking to a Mediterranean diet has previously been linked to lowering risk factors for heart disease, including high cholesterol and high blood pressure, and is also believed to increase life expectancy. Indeed, a cluster of villages in Sardinia was identified as being one of the very first ‘blue zones’ – areas that have particularly high life expectancy.

This diet has also been linked with increased life expectancy(Getty Images)

People living in this area, who tend to stick to very traditional, healthy meals, are ten times more likely to live to 100 than people living in the US, a factor that has been partially attributed to their lean diet. According to the Blue Zones website: “The classic Sardinian diet consists of whole-grain bread, beans, garden vegetables, fruits, and, in some parts of the island, mastic oil. Sardinians also traditionally eat pecorino cheese made from grass-fed sheep, whose cheese is high in omega-3 fatty acids. Meat is largely reserved for Sundays and special occasions.”

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