You’ve seen them advertised all the time. A diet by food type is by far one of the most popular ways of losing weight. There are just simply too many to choose from. Often times, it is a matter of food preference and what you think you can stand for a certain number of days. In addition, most diet by food types are short term weight loss plans. Don’t expect to be able to stick with one for the long-term. You’ll either get bored, go crazy or both.

If you are still not quite certain what a diet by food type means, read on for just a few ideas so that you can do your own research later.

1. The cabbage soup diet – This is just what is sound like. It is a soup with the primary ingredient being cabbage. Of course, depending on the recipe, you will find a whole host of ingredients to choose from. The basis of a soup diet is to fill up on the soup made with these healthy ingredients so that you won’t be tempted to eat anything else.

2. The grapefruit diet – Again, this is just like it sounds. You eat a heck of a lot of grapefruit along with carefully selected foods. The bottom line is that you should really like grapefruit to get through this typical 12 day program.

3. Raw food diet – With this diet, you do not eat cooked food. The basis is that cooking foods, especially fruits and vegetables, you lose essential enzymes necessary for good digestion as well as important vitamins. Eating raw foods help cleanse the body and put back those essential ingredients. But how long can you go without eating meat or would you want to eat meat raw?

4. Vegetarian diets – This diet basically cuts out all meat products. And depending on how strict of a vegetarian you are, you may or may not allow yourself to eat fish and other products that come from animals like milk and eggs. The basis is healthy; you eat plenty of fruits and vegetables which are packed with vitamins and minerals and are relatively low in fat which can help you lose weight.

There are other diets by food type that are available. However, the four listed above are the most popular. If you are curious about more diet by food types, head to your local library or the internet for more information.