It's that time of year again. Whether you're planning a New Years trip to the beach, contemplating this year's resolutions, or still recovering from Thanksgiving leftovers, you might be contemplating a long list of diet options.

Though research on dieting seems to converge on the advice to exercise and eat high-quality foods in predictable, moderate portionsAmerican consumers have a long and complicated history with dieting and its latest trends.

According to Google Trends, the five most-searched and potentially most popular diets in 2019 were: "intermittent fasting," "Dr. Sebi," "Noom," "1,200 calories" and "GOLO." Here's what they're all about and whether they're any good.

Intermittent fasting diet

Intermittent fasting (IF) is the practice of confining meals to certain timeframes. Common methods involve fasting for 16 hours once per day or 24 hours twice per week, but less restrictive windowslike keeping meals between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.have also been associated with decreased appetite and blood pressure, according to Harvard Health Publishing.

Abstaining from food and snacks for longer periods of time allows insulin levels to go down, prompting fat cells to release their stored sugar for energy that, when not used, translates to fat.

Dr. Sebi diet

A vegan regimen, the Dr. Sebi diet asks participants to stick to a shortlist of vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts, seeds, oils, herbs and supplements, according to Healthline. These dieters are also supposed to drink a gallon of water each day and avoid alcohol, wheat products and microwaves.

According to the late Alfredo Bowman (also known as "Dr. Sebi"), the approach rids the body of toxic waste and strengthens it against disease, but these claims have been widely discredited.

Noom diet

The Noom approach is supposed to end "yo-yo," or inconsistent, dieting through changing food behaviors and impulses, according to its website. It relies on a mobile application that assigns users to a "coach" and holds them accountable to "red" and "yellow" foods, which are not dense in nutrients despite their calorie countas opposed to "green" foods, which are.

The membership will run users about $50 per month, but almost 80 percent of 35,921 Noom participants surveyed lost weight in one study published in Nature.com's Scientific Reports.

1,200 calories diet

This a restrictive diet that limits people's daily intake to 1,200 calories. Larger people, men, active individuals, breastfeeding or pregnant women, and those with certain medical conditions in particular need more than this amount, according to Medical News Today.

While some research suggests that lower-calorie diets can provide health benefits and weight lossthe body can't store as fat what it doesn't consumeother research shows that metabolic rates can slow when people eat less over time, thus making weight loss more difficult in the long run.

GOLO diet

GOLO takes a somewhat anti-diet approach to dieting, according to its website. Instead of restricting calories, this diet encourages the consumption of low-glycemic foods that supposedly increase users' metabolic rate. It also promotes a supplement made from plant extracts that help regulate blood sugar levels and cravings.

Metabolism, the internal process by which bodies burn calories for energy, is largely determined by a person's genes, according to countless studies on the subject. That said, a combination of high-intensity interval training, protein and weight training can manipulate metabolism to a degree, according to Harvard Health Publishing.

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The 5 Most-Searched Diets of 2019 - Newsweek

We need to learn a new language, said Kevin Camphuis, co-founder of Paris-based business accelerator Shakeup Factory.

Food choices, he explained, were once split between a Latin diet (characterised by an attitude of food meaning pleasure, taste and a social occasion) and the Anglo-Saxon diet (based on the philosophy that food equalled fuel and functionality).

However, there is a new culture of food which is more flexitarian and vegetarian, he said. The values the new generations have towards food is completely different to past generations. These eaters have a fast and casual approach to food, noted Camphuis. They seek food on demand that has health benefits. They are interested in plant-based foods, sustainability and novel ingredients.

"We've been growing, transforming, packaging, selling and eating the same food the same way for 60 years, said Camphuis. And it's over now. There's a new vocabulary that we have to learn that is very different from the previous one.

Whereas consumers traditionally sought two-to-three meals a day and made decisions based on trust, price and functionality, younger eaters demand as much as five-to-seven foods a day and value variety and immediacy.

Rick Miller from market research company Mintel agreed."The generation born after 1995 are questioning more and are less trustworthy of the bigger brands. That mean that smaller artisan brands seem to do better as they're leaner and they can change their business models to reflect consumers growing needs. What sits well with these consumers, he said, are brands that tell a story not just in terms of their product, but what they stand for as a company".

Miller cited the brand Tribe, which makes cereal bars aimed at runners, as an example of a company successfully 'telling a story' to connect with these consumers.

"Their whole business model and premise is based around fuelling from a clean and natural point of view but is also centred around ending modern slavery: its a powerful message and also niche. They're not talking about climate change or their carbon footprint: they're talking about this in particular and they've built and entire community around that."

The younger generation wants to know that brands care, and what they stand for, he continued. "It's not good enough now just to say 'we produce the best boiled sweets on the planet.'"

They also want snacks. "The snackifaction of our culture continues to escalate which may or may not be a good thing for the obesity crisis, noted Miller. We're also getting sportification and the merging of different sectors that were once very distinct. For example a few years ago you never would have seen an average consumer having creatine or Beta-Alanine or even protein supplements. Now you can go into any supermarket and buy a protein dink or a soft drink with cognitive enhancing ingredients, Nootropics and botanicals. The consumer wants more functionality, they want a merging of sectors together.

Interestingly, not all these food trends are being led by younger people. Populations are, after all, ageing dramatically in most developed countries. "We're living longer, but we're spending less years of our lives in good health," said Miller.

As such, consumers will increasingly demand food and beverage innovations offering solutions in areas such as mental alertness, physical resilience and skin reticence.

Meanwhile, Miller presented the tantalising question of what happens when two trends ageing populations and young people and the sustainability agenda meet? "The NHS [the UKs free healthcare system] produces nearly 6% of the UK's greenhouse emissions and wastes 100,000 meals a day in hospitals. Are we going to see the rise of the sustainable patient eventually?

Andres Montefeltro, CEO of Spain-based cultured meat company Cubiq Foods, added: "I think the opportunity here is that they need us to generate a new type of food. We used to say that processed food is bad. And now processed food can become more nutritional, and healthier than natural ones.

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Flexitarianism may save the planet -- but it's killed the traditional European diet - FoodNavigator.com

Include these 10 foods in your winter diet to keep your body healthy and warm  |  Photo Credit: Getty Images

New Delhi: Winters are here and thus dragging yourself out of the warmth of bed becomes the first challenge in the morning. Although it is the season when there is no harm in being a little more indulgent, the key to enjoying winter lies in a healthy diet, daily exercise and proper sleep. Remember that the immune system is our biggest defence, and keeping it strong is only possible when you eat a healthy diet.

Below are some healthy food items that must be a part of your diet plan during the winter season.

Dates are like capsules of nutrients and are beneficial for people who like to keep themselves fit. Low-fat content in dates keep your weight in check and at the same time, supplies your body with essential nutrients. Regular intake keeps your body warm which makes them the best option to say good morning to winters.

Rich in fat, protein and fibre, these human-friendly seeds are one of the best sources for Iron forour body. This gluten-free pseudo-grain is highly nutritious with a high content of phosphorus, the regular consumption of which rewards you with strong bones and thus keeps lethargy miles away from you.

Power-packed with tons of nutrients in a low-calorie package, dark leafy greens like spinach, collards, mustard greens and escarole spread their roots as well as leaves in the winter season when many other vegetables become a rarity. Rich in vitamins A, C, K and various other nutrients, these leaves not only enhance your bone health but also become a solution to your rough skin and hair problems commonly faced in the winter season.

Highly revered among the clan of dry fruits, almonds and walnuts not only keep your body warm but also ensure an active nervous system, a healthy heart and improved sensitivity to insulin. With their unique taste and crunchiness, they can reward you with many pleasant wintery days and evenings.

Who doesn't love these blessings from animal farms! Fishes and eggs, while being rich in protein and carbohydrates, are rich sources of Vitamin B12 which is essential for ensuring a healthy immune system. They also help in reducing fatigue and stress thus ensuring your physical as well as mental well-being.

Citrus Fruits are juiciest in winters and a single intake is capable of taking care of day-long Vitamin C requirement by a human body. Rich in flavonoids, they are best for maintaining a healthy proportion of Cholesterol in our body. One can have a good Vitamin D enriching sunbath and supply themselves with delicious Vitamin C at the same time, biting on these citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, grapes etc.

Porridge serves as a complete breakfast and with a slow release of energy keeps your body energised till lunch. One can add nuts and dry fruits to make them more delicious as well as healthy.

Turnips not only bless your cardiovascular system but also strengthen your bones as well as digestion with its rich fibre content. Winters these years come infected with a high quantity of pollutants in the air resulting in smog. Rich with starch, turnips act as excellent antioxidants and also help in minimizing the risks of cancer.

Sweet potatoes are a rich source of fibre, Vitamin A and potassium. Low on calorie and high on nutrients, they are beneficial for your stomach. Sweet potatoes help in curing constipation, improving digestion and reducing inflammation.

Ragi is super rich in calcium. While non-vegetarians have a plethora of options for their calcium intake, ragi comes for the rescue of vegetarians. A must-have for diabetes and anaemia patient, ragi also helps in battling conditions like anxiety, depression and insomnia.

Besides, one should also consume enough fluids (30ml of fluids per kg of body weight) for healthy functioning of the body. Remember there is no substitute for healthy eating. Incorporate these food items in your diet chart today and enjoy winters to the fullest

(Disclaimer: The author, Dr(Col) Manjinder Sandhu, Director- Cardiology & Artemis Cardiac Care, is a guest contributor. Views expressed are personal)

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Include these 10 foods in your winter diet to keep your body healthy and warm - Times Now

The age-old secret to a longer life really comes down to a healthy lifestyle including regular exercise, limiting alcohol intake, not smoking and eating a healthy balanced diet. Good nutrition is key to leading a healthy lifestyle. The foods a person eats gives the body information and materials they need to function properly. If a person eats too much food, or food that gives the body the wrong instructions, their risk of potentially life-threatening diseases increases and lifespan shortens. What is the best diet to help a person live a long, healthy life and reduce their risk of deadly diseases?

A study has been published in the JAMA Internal Medicine Journal and reignites debate around increasingly popular vegan diets amid conflicting medical advice and evidence over the impact of ones health.

The study found every three percent in calories form plant protein was found to reduce risk of death by 10 percent.

The figure rises to 12 percent for risk of dying from heart disease. By contrast, raising the share of animal protein in ones diet by 10 percent led to a two percent higher risk of death from all causes.

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Experts recommend eating more plant-based foods, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Lean protein and low-fat dairy products are also recommended.

Numerous research suggests eating at least seven portions of fresh fruits and vegetables per day may lower the risk of dying from cancer by up to 15 percent.

Dr Mingyang Song said: Overall, studies have supported the importance of the sources of dietary protein for long-term health outcomes.

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How to live longer: The diet proven to help you stave off cancer and boost life expectancy - Express