Don’t Make These Hidden Mistakes That Derail Popular Diets

Does this sound familiar? 

You want to boost your health, so you decide to start a popular diet. Enthusiastic and determined, you believe this will finally be the one that leads to lasting change. But as the weeks pass, your motivation fades and you find yourself back at square one (or worse off than you were to begin with). So what happened?

In this article, we’ll dive into the most common mistakes that can cause popular diets to fail. Understanding these pitfalls can help you succeed long term with your diet and maintain your overall health.

The Keto Conundrum

The ketogenic (“keto”) diet, known for its low-carb, high-fat approach, has gained popularity over the past decade (1) for its reported weight management benefits. But it’s all too easy to fall into the “dirty keto” trap, where unhealthy food choices can undermine the keto diet’s effectiveness. 

“Traditional keto emphasizes high-fat, low-carb foods, [but] dirty keto allows for processed, low-carb junk foods, which can be loaded with artificial ingredients, unhealthy fats, and excess sodium,” explains Trista Best, a registered dietitian and consultant for Balance One Supplements.

While it’s true that the ketogenic diet can trigger ketosis — a state where your body burns fat for fuel — it’s not a free pass for fried bacon and butter-soaked everything. Instead, to reap the most health benefits from the keto diet, it’s crucial to emphasize whole foods over processed ones. 

To follow a clean keto diet, prioritize quality fats, lean proteins, and an abundance of non-starchy vegetables. Avoid the temptation to eat foods with trans fats, processed meats, and artificially flavored “keto-friendly” snacks that can compromise your health and weight loss goals. 

“Consuming these foods can lead to poor nutrition, increased inflammation, and potential long-term health risks like heart disease,” says Best.

Mediterranean Diet Missteps

The Mediterranean diet, celebrated for its potential health benefits, often encounters a stumbling block among its followers: excessive fat consumption, especially from oils and nuts.

“The Mediterranean diet is praised for its heart-healthy fats, but overindulging in them can lead to excess calorie intake,” says Best. “Oils and nuts are calorie-dense, so consuming them in large quantities can hinder weight management goals [and] contribute to elevated cholesterol levels.”

So how can you avoid this common diet mistake? Practice portion control, ensuring these calorie-rich foods complement your diet rather than dominate it. The Mediterranean diet’s strength lies in its diversity of food choices, including whole grains, lean proteins, and plenty of fresh produce. When you balance the fats and embrace the full spectrum of this diet, you set yourself on the path to reaping its rewards for heart health and overall well-being.

Paleo Pitfalls

Rooted in ancestral eating patterns, the Paleo diet boasts several health benefits, including blood sugar control and reduced waist circumference. (2) But it has its potential pitfalls. While people on dirty keto can eat too much processed foods, Paleo followers can go overboard on red meat.

“The Paleo diet emphasizes lean meats and encourages red meat consumption. However, excessive intake of these foods can lead to an overabundance of saturated fats and cholesterol, potentially increasing the risk of heart disease (3),” cautions Best.

To thrive on the Paleo diet, diversify your protein sources. Include lean meats, poultry, fish, and plant-based proteins like nuts and seeds. Also, don’t neglect essential nutrients like fiber and carbohydrates. The Paleo diet can inadvertently lead to carb restriction (4), potentially leaving you feeling fatigued. Embrace a colorful array of fruits, vegetables, beans, and legumes to ensure adequate fiber intake and a balanced nutrient profile.

Vegan and Vegetarian Diets Gone Wrong

It’s no secret that embracing a vegan or vegetarian diet is an ethical and health-conscious dietary choice. (5) Yet many people go wrong by relying heavily on processed meat substitutes and overconsuming processed carbohydrates. 

Processed meat substitutes may be convenient, but they often come loaded with preservatives, additives, and excess sodium, according to one 2022 study. (6) Additionally, says Best, “an overemphasis on [highly processed] carbs, such as pasta, white bread, and sugary snacks can lead to nutrient deficiencies, blood sugar spikes, and weight gain.”

While processed meat substitutes can provide a break from meat, they shouldn’t dominate your diet. Instead, try various plant-based protein sources, such as legumes, tofu, tempeh, and whole grains like quinoa and bulgur. These foods not only offer protein, but also a spectrum of essential nutrients.

Finding the Right Diet for You

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to finding the “right diet.” That’s because healthy eating is highly individualized and requires aligning your dietary choices with your lifestyle, preferences, and health goals.

Caroline Young, a registered dietitian and owner of Whole Self Nutrition, recommends first examining your relationship to food and your core values, which will clarify how food can best support your well-being. Then, she says, it’s best to reach out for help. “I recommend working with a trusted healthcare professional, ideally a non-diet registered dietitian, to help you learn which type of nourishment pattern works for you, your body, and your life,” says Young.

Ultimately, the secret to dietary success is to embrace a sustainable, flexible approach. Your nutritional preferences may evolve, and that’s perfectly normal. By staying open to change and focusing on sustainability, you’ll discover the diet that works best with your life and keeps you on the path to optimal health.

Remember: Diet trends come and go, but your health is a lifelong commitment.

Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking

1. Batch JT, Lamsal SP, Adkins M, et al. Advantages and Disadvantages of the Ketogenic Diet: A Review Article. Cureus. August 10, 2020.
2. Singh A, Singh D. The Paleolithic Diet. Cureus. January 25, 2023.
3. Wang M, Ma H, Song Q, et al. Red Meat Consumption and All-Cause and Cardiovascular Mortality: Results From the UK Biobank Study. European Journal of Nutrition. February 27, 2022.
4. Frączek B, Pięta A, Burda A, et al. Paleolithic Diet—Effect on the Health Status and Performance of Athletes? Nutrients. March 21, 2021.
5. Craig WJ, Mangels AR, Fresán U, et al. The Safe and Effective Use of Plant-Based Diets with Guidelines for Health Professionals. Nutrients. November 19, 2021.
6. Romão B, Botelho RBA, Nakano EY, et al. Are Vegan Alternatives to Meat Products Healthy? A Study on Nutrients and Main Ingredients of Products Commercialized in Brazil. Frontiers in Public Health. May 27, 2022.