The list of possible diets to choose from available today is massive, and includes not only general diets but specialty niche diets such as low-carb, high-protein, as well as a bunch of fad and crash diets. While certain crash and fad diets can be dangerous, the following list of more moderate diets that work are highly recommended for meeting specific nutritional goals. While these are not diets that work fast, they are safer and healthier.

1) The Glycemic Index Diet

This is one of the most popular diets that work amongst diabetics, and in fact it can be critical if you suffer from this condition to follow such a diet. This diet is so good for diabetics because it focuses on foods that help regulate blood sugar levels, instead of spiking them dangerously high throughout the day. Therefore the focus is on foods that completely eliminate the highly refined carbohydrates, known as low Glycemic Index foods. Examples of such foods include all of the whole grains (such as barley, bran, and oats). The word “whole” in whole grains cannot be stressed enough. As a rule of thumb, the darker the bread product is, the better it is in terms of this diet. Other examples of foods for the glycemic index diet include certain pastas (again the dark ones), many fruits and vegetables, but not all, as some extremely high sugar content fruits such as mangoes can actually raise blood sugar too quickly, and skim milk or other low-fat dairy based products.

2) The Macrobiotic Diet

This diet is extremely healthy for those suffering from any form of cardiovascular disease, and especially hardening of the arteries due to high LDL cholesterol levels. That’s because this diets consist predominantly of very low fat and extremely high-fiber foods. Such a combination is perfect for both lowering the absorption of cholesterol and clearing out already clogged arteries. As you might’ve guessed, such an extremely healthy diet is almost entirely vegetarian, focusing on all the fruits and vegetables you can handle, as well as, yet again, the whole grains. Interestingly, the diet also focuses on only eating fruits and vegetables that are in season in your local area, which according to some traditional beliefs, brings your body more into line with nature. Example foods for this diet would include brown rice, all the foods based off of soya, including soya milk and tofu, many fruits and vegetables (again not forgetting to eat those that are in season), as well as beans, seeds, and seafood.

3) The Organic Diet

This diet is pretty obvious from its name, and fits in well with the current organic craze of recent years. But what exactly does it mean to go organic? It means absolutely strictly staying away from any food that contains any type of man-made chemical, which includes all preservatives, such as artificial sweeteners and MSG, but also includes things you may not be aware of, such as all the herbicides and pesticides that go into producing most fruits and vegetables. The diet focuses heavily on fruits and vegetables, with the caveat that they must be organic. The diet is more of a list of “Do Nots” than “Dos”, since essentially any food source is acceptable in this diet, including meat and dairy products, as long as it was produced from organic sources. This means vegetables and fruits which are not sprayed with any herbicides or pesticides, and meet such as beef which was not produced with any hormones.

So when thinking of dieting, don’t forget that there are a lot of interesting niche diets apart from the normal weight loss fads. It can be very hard to find crash diets that work or other fads like low carb diets that work, and there is a reason. Such diets don’t address the root of your nutritional needs. Depending on any specific health conditions you may have or your other overall nutritional goals, consider giving one of these niche diet plans that work a try.