What's the best diet for you? It depends...

People always want to know what the healthiest diet to follow is, but the answer depends on many factors. Some people are better suited to one type of diet than another, depending on age, lifestyle, medical conditions, and more. The truth is that there isn’t one single best diet—there are simply the ones that work best for you personally! To help you find out what those are, here’s an overview of several of the most popular diets with links to further reading if you want to learn more about them.

6 Ways Your Diet Is Different Than Everyone Else’s

Everyone wants to know what’s healthy, but few people actually take time to figure out what’s best for them. Here are some ways your approach to eating might be different than everyone else’s. People always want to know what the healthiest diet to follow is, but it depends on many factors. Some people are better suited to one type of diet than another, depending on age, lifestyle, medical conditions, and other factors that aren't always clear cut.

Which Diet Is Best For You, Based On Age and Activity Level

If your blood pressure is high, it’s important to watch your salt intake. If you have type 2 diabetes or are at risk of developing it, choosing a healthy carb diet that incorporates whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables is a good choice. If your goal is to lose weight, it’s important to focus on portion control.

6 Common Medical Conditions That Affect The Diet You Should Follow

If you are experiencing one of these conditions, your doctor may have recommended a diet change to help improve your symptoms and prevent further complications. Medical conditions that can influence your diet include heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol levels, acid reflux disease (GERD), celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Depending on your medical condition(s), your doctor might recommend a specific diet or eating plan. For example: if you're diagnosed with diabetes, she might suggest following a diabetic meal plan; if you're diagnosed with celiac disease or IBD, she might suggest following an anti-inflammatory diet; if you're having heart problems due to high cholesterol levels or other factors, she might suggest following a low-fat diet; if you have acid reflux issues that cause frequent heartburn attacks, she might suggest avoiding certain foods or beverages.

Does Your Lifestyle Suit One Type Of Diet Over Another?

Although a lot of people are doing it, changing your diet and lifestyle is easier said than done. If you’re thinking about altering your habits, it’s important to know whether your current lifestyle matches up with a particular type of diet. For example, people who work long hours may find that following an Ayurvedic diet is too much hassle.

Do You Have Any Food Allergies Or Intolerances?

Whether you have a legitimate intolerance or just think a food is gross, not eating it doesn’t mean that health benefits can’t come from it. Some people who think they are intolerant to wheat, for example, may actually be intolerant to gluten—and there are plenty of foods with gluten that don’t necessarily contain wheat.

How Much Time Do You Have To Cook And Eat Healthy Foods Every Day?

In a study conducted by researchers at Case Western Reserve University, people who cooked at home more often had improved gut health. If you can dedicate 20 to 30 minutes per day to cooking and eating healthy foods, that’s definitely better than not doing anything about your gut health. But if you don’t have time to cook every day—or even once a week—that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to improve your gut health. However, it does mean that other strategies are necessary.

Are You A Busy Mom Who Works Full-Time?

One of your top priorities should be taking care of yourself. By including healthy foods and making some simple lifestyle changes, you can maintain good health even with a busy schedule. Here are some tips on how to improve gut health naturally that will allow you to get more energy and have more mental clarity throughout your day.