5 diets with the most Google searches

Top five most searched diets

Carnivore diet: “Firstly, with 222,000 searches each month, carnivore diets have been revealed as the most popular online in the UK. It consists of a low-carb diet that prioritises animal products such as meat, fish and eggs. Some carnivore diets permit the consumption of dairy products, such as cheese or butter,” reveals Dr Grant, from The Independent Pharmacy.

“This diet is easy to follow, despite its restrictions, as it requires no calorie tracking. It could also lead to weight loss if the individual maintains a calorie deficit while eating a strict animal product diet. Additionally, further pros include reduced inflammation and improved insulin resistance.

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However, Dr Grant explains this diet is not without its drawbacks. “First, plant foods are key for obtaining nutrients such as vitamins C, E and K, without them, a person can quickly become deficient. A carnivore diet can also increase the risk of heart disease or major heart events, such as a stroke, due to animal-based products being high in saturated fat.

“The lack of fibre could also impact gut health, disrupting the microbiome. For this reason, I do not recommend carnivore diets.”

Keto diet: The ketogenic diet ranks as the second most googled diet in the UK, with an average of 207,000 searches each month. “This approach looks to force the body into ketosis – a metabolic state where the body burns fat for energy, rather than stored carbohydrates,” says Dr Grant.

“A keto diet consists of splitting daily calories so that 70 to 80% is high fat (meat, fish, nuts), 15 to 25% is protein (lean meats, eggs) and 5 to 10% is low carbs (leafy greens). This approach strictly limits any sugar, processed foods or starchy veg.

“While a keto diet can be effective for weight loss and useful in managing blood sugar levels, it can be difficult to maintain long-term. It may also lead to deficiencies due to the absence of fibre and antioxidants.

Dr Grant has reservations about his particular diet: “Interestingly, people adjusting to this diet may also experience a ‘keto flu’, which is a set of symptoms that occur as the body is getting used to the change in eating habits. Symptoms include headaches, nausea and fatigue.

“Overall, while the keto diet does have some positives, I cannot recommend this diet as it’s restrictive, cutting out some important foods, which could lead to nutrient deficiencies.”

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Intermittent fasting: The third most googled diet with 144,000 monthly searches, intermittent fasting is proving popular. “This approach is an eating plan that requires individuals to fast for extended periods in between meals. Popular methods include ‘16:8’ where a person fasts for 16 hours before stocking up on food throughout the next eight hours,” says Dr Grant.

“It’s incredibly useful for weight loss as it reduces daily calorie intake and increases fat burn. Furthermore, it can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by helping people improve insulin resistance, helping control blood sugar levels.”

Intermittent fasting could also boost brain function, helping to minimise the risk of cognitive decline. “While fasting can be difficult to navigate in the beginning, I believe intermittent fasting is a great method for losing weight and gaining better control of health. For anyone looking to start intermittent fasting, a GP can advise further on recommended plans to ensure the approach is healthy and beneficial, advises Grant.

Mediterranean diet: Based on eating habits from countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea – such as Greece and Italy – the Mediterranean diet receives 96,000 searches each month from the UK.

“This diet prioritises a combination of different foods, often seen in Italy, Greece and Spain, including whole grains (quinoa, oats and rice), fruits and vegetables (leafy greens and citrus fruits) and healthy fats (olive oil, nuts and seeds).

“Overall, I believe the Mediterranean diet incorporates all the required foods to make a healthy, well-balanced diet. It’s a great method for heart health, helping reduce high blood pressure and the risk of heart attacks. It’s also beneficial for weight loss and gut health, ” explains Dr Grant.

“With no real restrictions and an emphasis on healthy foods, a Mediterranean diet is something I can definitely get behind. To anyone looking to shed weight or adopt healthy living this year, this is absolutely one to consider.

FODMAP diet: Finally, ranking in fifth place, the FODMAP diet receives 68,000 searches each month. It’s a short-term diet that is used to help people suffering from IBS (irritable bowel syndrome).

Dr Grant outlines the diet: “FODMAP stands for ‘Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols’, the diet looks to limit foods high in FODMAPs, as this could cause digestive issues, leading to bloating, flatulence or general stomach pain.

“Over the course of six weeks, people aim to avoid FODMAP foods before slowly reintroducing them one by one to identify any trigger foods. While it’s great for uncovering the root cause of IBS or digestive problems, it’s not something anyone should look to maintain long-term. Overall, I recommend this diet to anyone suffering from IBS, but wouldn’t advise this approach for general, everyday use.”

There are other diets to consider if these don’t appeal, says Grant: “Aside from these five most popular diets, according to search volume, other popular eating methods in the UK included; low-carb (60,000), gluten-free (21,000), paleo (20,000), 5:2 (17,000) and Atkins diets (13,000).

What if diets aren’t working?

“Everyone’s body is different with different metabolisms and genetics. Therefore, what might work for one individual mightn’t necessarily have the same effect on someone else. This is particularly true when it comes to dieting,” cautions Grant.

“However, thankfully, there are a range of treatments available to people looking to shed weight quickly. This medicine is not available to everyone, and people must first qualify for the treatment. Weight loss jabs such as Mounjaro aren’t available over-the-counter and require a successful consultation to be accessed.”

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