Is there a definitive 'healthy diet'?

[losenotloose]

There's so much mixed information out there that even if you have an interest in nutrition it can be confusing! So what's healthier? Low carb or plant based?? Is there a definitive answer or does it just depend who you follow?

Dh had his blood test results yesterday and was told his cholesterol is very slightly high but not to worry about it. Dr Moseley seems to be widely respected but he advocates low carb. But the message now seems to be plant based for health. You'd have a pretty boring diet if you tried to do plant based low carb so what's the answer? Or is it all a load of rubbish and the answer is a standard balanced diet?? Sorry for the waffle I just find this subject frustrating!

I like Michael Pollen's advice:

Eat [real] food. Not too much. Mostly plants.

That sums up the key features of diets considered healthy across the world, and means you can still food and your own cultural traditions.

I honestly think the best "diet" is one you can stick to, a good balance of good and not so good. If you feel deprived of certain food types due to an eating plan you're more likely to fail. I work on an 80:20 ratio; 80% good stuff and 20% not so good. I honestly believe the saying that everything in moderation.

I might not have been clear, I don't mean diet as in something you follow to lose weight eg weight watchers, Atkins etc I mean the best way to eat for long term health. I'm not overweight but I would still like to eat well but it's not clear what that looks like!
@BoogleMcGroogle that sounds like common sense advice!

The best diet would probably be unprocessed natural food. Lots of vegetables, fruit and maybe a bit of meat?
That’s how most other omnivores seem to eat. Mostly fruit or seeds with some bugs or meat thrown in.

Mediterranean diet

Probably the Mediterranean diet i.e. fish, fruit, vegetables, olive oil, not much meat or poultry and wine in moderation.

Yes. Real food and mostly plants sounds good.

We eat pretty well but could do with cutting down on sugar. It's a shame the Dr just told dh not to worry. Isn't it better to take action before it becomes a problem?!

I'd say that the Mediterranean or traditional Japanese diets are probably the best. The rest are mainly fads trying to get your money.

Echoing above, I think the best diet is eating a variety of plant based foods, as close to their natural state as possible.
If choosing a carb or protein, choose the more natural, unrefined one. Brown rice instead of white, rice instead of pasta. Same with protein,lean organic meat or legumes instead of sausages or quorn nuggets. Don't overeat and obviously allow some treats now and again :)