several diets

Belief-based diets[edit]

Some people's dietary choices are influenced by their religious, spiritual or philosophical beliefs.

• Buddhist diet: While Buddhism does not have specific dietary rules, some buddhists practise vegetarianism based on a strict interpretation of the first of the Five Precepts.^[2]
• Edenic diet: A diet based on what Adam and Eve are believed to have consumed in Garden of Eden. Usually either vegetarian or vegan, and based predominantly on fruit.^{[citation needed]}
• Hindu and Jain diets: Followers of Hinduism and Jainism often follow lacto-vegetarian diets, based on the principle of Ahimsa (non-harming).^[3]
• Islamic dietary laws: Muslims follow a diet consisting solely of food that is halal – permissible under Islamic law. The opposite of halal is haraam, food that is Islamically Impermissible. Haraam substances include alcohol, pork, and any meat from an animal which was not killed through the Islamic method of ritual slaughter (Dhabiha).^[4]
• I-tal: A set of principles which influences the diet of many members of the Rastafari movement. One principle is that natural foods should be consumed. Some Rastafarians interpret I-tal to advocate vegetarianism or veganism.^[5]
• Kosher diet: Food permissible under Kashrut, the set of Jewish dietary laws, is said to be Kosher. Some foods and food combinations are non-Kosher, and failure to prepare food in accordance with Kashrut can make otherwise permissible foods non-Kosher.^{[citation needed]}
• Word of Wisdom: The name of a section of the Doctrine and Covenants, a book of scripture accepted by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Dietary advice includes (1) wholesome plants "in the season thereof," (2) eating meat sparingly and only "in times of winter, or of cold, or famine," and (3) grain as the "staff of life."^[6]

Vegetarian diets[edit]

Main article: Vegetarianism

A vegetarian diet is one which excludes meat. Vegetarians also avoid food containing by-products of animal slaughter, such as animal-derived rennet and gelatin.^[7]

• Fruitarian diet: A diet which predominantly consists of raw fruit.^[8]
• Lacto vegetarianism: A vegetarian diet that includes certain types of dairy, but excludes eggs and foods which contain animal rennet.^[9] A common diet among followers of several religions, including Hinduism and Jainism, based on the principle of Ahimsa (non-harming).^[3]
• Lacto-ovo vegetarianism: A vegetarian diet that includes eggs and dairy.^[9]
• Vegan diet: In addition to the requirements of a vegetarian diet, vegans do not eat food produced by animals, such as eggs, dairy products, or honey.^[7]

Semi-vegetarian diets[edit]

Main article: Semi-vegetarianism

• Flexitarian diet: A predominantly vegetarian diet, in which meat is occasionally consumed.^[10]
• Kangatarian: A diet originating from Australia. In addition to foods permissible in a vegetarian diet, kangaroo meat is also consumed.^[11]
• Pescetarian diet: A diet which includes fish but not meat.
• Plant-based diet: A broad term to describe diets in which animal products do not form a large proportion of the diet. Under some definitions a plant-based diet is fully vegetarian; under others it is possible to follow a plant-based diet whilst occasionally consuming meat.^[12]

Weight control diets[edit]

Main article: Dieting

A desire to lose weight is a common motivation to change dietary habits, as is a desire to maintain an existing weight. Many weight loss diets are considered by some to entail varying degrees of health risk, and some are not widely considered to be effective. This is especially true of "crash" or "fad" diets.

Many of the diets listed below could fall into more than one subcategory. Where this is the case, it is noted in that diet's entry.

Low-calorie diets[edit]

Main article: Calorie restriction

• Body for Life: A calorie-control diet, promoted as part of the 12-week Body for Life program.^{[citation needed]}
• Cookie diet: A calorie control diet in which low-fat cookies are eaten to quell hunger, often in place of a meal.^[13]
• The Hacker's Diet: A calorie-control diet from The Hacker's Diet by John Walker. The book suggests that the key to reaching and maintaining the desired weight is understanding and carefully monitoring calories consumed and used.^{[citation needed]}
• Nutrisystems Diet: The dietary element of the weight-loss plan from Nutrisystem, Inc. Nutrisystem distributes low-calorie meals, with specific ratios of fats, proteins and carbohydrates.^{[citation needed]}
• Weight Watchers diet: Foods are assigned points values; dieters can eat any food with a points value provided they stay within their daily points limit.^[14]

Very low calorie diets[edit]

Main article: Very low calorie diet

A very low calorie diet is consuming fewer than 800 calories per day. Such diets are normally followed under the supervision of a doctor.^[15]

"Zero-calorie diets are also included"

• Breatharian diet: A diet in which no food is consumed, based on the belief that food is not necessary for human subsistence.^[16]
• KE Diet: A diet in which an individual feeds through a feeding tube and does not eat anything.^[17]

Low-carbohydrate diets[edit]

Main article: Low-carbohydrate diet

• Atkins diet: A low-carbohydrate diet, populised by nutritionist Robert Atkins in the late-20th and early-21st centuries.^[18] Proponents argue that this approach is a more successful way of losing weight than low-calorie diets;^[19] critics argue that a low-carb approach poses increased health risks.^[20]

• Dukan Diet: A multi-step diet based on high protein and limited carbohydrate consumption. It starts with two steps intended to facilitate short term weight loss, followed by two steps intended to consolidate these losses and return to a more balanced long-term diet.^[21]
• ITG Diet: A 3-step diet based on limiting carbohydrate consumption combined with low fat protein to maintain muscle, with the objective of returning to a healthy balanced diet for long term weight maintenance.

• South Beach Diet

• Stillman diet

Low-fat diets[edit]

Main article: low-fat diet

• McDougall's starch diet is a high calorie, high fiber, low fat diet that is based on starches such as potatoes, rice, and beans which excludes all animal foods and added vegetable oils. John A. McDougall draws on historical observation of how many civilizations around the world throughout time have thrived on starch foods.

Crash diets[edit]

Crash diet and fad diet are general terms. They describe diet plans which involve making extreme, rapid changes to food consumption, but are also used as disparaging terms for common eating habits which are considered unhealthy. Both types of diet are often considered to pose health risks.^[22] Many of the diets listed here are weight-loss diets which would also fit into other sections of this list. Where this is the case, it will be noted in that diet's entry.

• Beverly Hills Diet: An extreme diet which has only fruits in the first days, gradually increasing the selection of foods up to the sixth week.^[23]
• Cabbage soup diet: A low-calorie diet based on heavy consumption of cabbage soup. Considered a fad diet.^[24]
• Grapefruit diet: A fad diet, intended to facilitate weight loss, in which grapefruit is consumed in large quantities at meal times.^[25]
• Israeli Army diet: An eight-day diet. Only apples are consumed in the first two days, cheese in the following two days, chicken on days five and six, and salad for the final two days. Despite what the name suggests, the diet is not followed by Israel Defense Forces. It is considered a fad diet.^[26]
• Junk food diet: A diet largely made up of food considered to be unhealthy, such as high-fat or processed foods.^[27]
• Subway diet: A crash diet^[28] in which a person consumes Subway sandwiches in place of higher calorie fast foods. Made famous by former obese student Jared Fogle, who lost 245 pounds after replacing his meals with Subway sandwiches as part of an effort to lose weight.^[28]
• Watermelon diet: Liberace and his handlers covered up the entertainer's AIDS diagnosis by publicly attributing his suffered severe weight loss and health problems to anemia brought on by a strict watermelon-only diet; they later reversed those claims to publicize that Liberace was gravely ill from anemia, emphysema and heart disease.^[29][30]
• Western dietary pattern: A diet consisting of food which is most commonly consumed in developed countries. Examples include meat, white bread, milk and puddings.^[31] The name is a reference to the Western world.

Detox diets[edit]

Detox diets involve either not consuming or attempting to flush out substances that are considered unhelpful or harmful. Examples include restricting food consumption to foods without colorings or preservatives, taking supplements, or drinking large amounts of water. The latter practice in particular has drawn criticism, as drinking significantly more water than recommended levels can cause hyponatremia.^[32]

• Juice fasting: A form of detox diet, in which nutrition is obtained solely from fruit and vegetable juices. The health implications of such diets are disputed.^[33]
• Master Cleanse: A form of juice fasting.