The most common New Year’s resolution for 2024, according to a Forbes survey, is improving fitness — a goal for 48 percent of respondents. While 4 out of 10 Americans are already on a diet, 34 percent plan to make a resolution to lose weight. About 32 percent of those surveyed said they want to improve their nutritional choices.
Many start a diet with great enthusiasm, only to abandon it because the effort and food restrictions become tiresome. But following a diet helps many people stay on track, lose weight and improve vital areas such as heart health and blood sugar control.
After analyzing monthly Google search frequency and Instagram hashtag mentions, a recent study revealed the top trending diets of 2023. With the popular diets, researchers explored the advantages and drawbacks of each one to provide insights into which may be most beneficial for specific health goals and lifestyles.
Weight Watchers
Weight Watchers — now WW International — began in the 1960s and is still going strong. It takes the top spot as the most popular diet of 2023. It also helps that Oprah Winfrey signed a deal to purchase 10 percent of the diet management company and has endorsed the program since 2015.
WW International has 2.1 million monthly searches and 7.5 million hashtags. The diet focuses on weight management by eating smart and provides personalized coaching, which helps support and motivate the client. The diet helps people make sustainable lifestyle changes, allows flexibility and includes all the food groups.
Although WW International is the most popular diet, it does have some drawbacks. The monthly costs can be high since coaching is part of the program. Also, the program requires a long-term commitment, and tracking the points can become tiresome and challenging in social settings.
Alexandra VanStraten is a certified nutrition coach and follower of the WW diet herself. She believes the WW plan is the most popular because it’s easy to follow. “The points system is easy to calculate on your phone, and the free points on foods like fruits, veggies and proteins make it easy to find something to eat at all times,” she says.
VanStraten adds that the…