Whether you intend to lose weight, gain muscle, or simply live a healthier, more sustainable life, one's diet is typically the largest consideration and stressor.

The options are endless, and it can oftentimes be overwhelming to figure out which path to choose. Do you go the low-carb route or the fasting route? Do you count calories and macronutrients, or not? Can I have a cheat meal or not? Should I try the Mediterranean diet or the keto diet?

The stress is understandable and the misinformation endless…However, there is a right answer to this!

That answer?

Choose the diet that you’ll stick to and enjoy the most. Simple.

Of course, some standard rules need to be considered dependent upon your goals. There are clear-cut decisions that classify whether or not you’re eating healthy - we all know this. Fruits and vegetables are generally good, while processed foods like crackers and cookies are generally bad.

The distinction here is moderation, commitment, discipline, but most of all - enjoyment. As long as you can stick to a relatively healthy diet (i.e. the 80/20 rule), your only decision left is to find out what works for you and stick to it.

There are many effective diets out there. The real player is compliance and sustainability.

So, what type of diet is best for you? The best diet is one supported by science, healthy, and is most easily abided by the individual. A diet typically focused on whole food, plant-based options (yes, this can include animal proteins!) with the flexibility to be tailored to the individual is usually a great place to start.

Find out what you enjoy, make sure that it’s generally in the parameters of a healthy lifestyle, and stick to that! A diet is simply a broad framework of what you can and cannot eat. It is not a jail sentence.

In conclusion and to reiterate the take-home point: the diet that is best for you is the diet that you will stick to…