There are so many diets out there!  Some seem reasonable and are often backed by claims that they will produce dramatic weigh loss and make you healthy while others seem ridiculous.  The diet industry produces a new diet every five minutes each one claiming to be the best.  It can make your head spin!  I was recently discussing fad diets with a friend and remembered a Venn diagram I had been shown about different diets (Yes, I'm going to talk about Venn diagrams.  It reminds you of 5th grade right?)  The diagram illustrated a very important point.  If we compare some of the more popular diets today ( Paleo, Mediterranean and Flexitarian) they have several things in common.  They suggest the following: 

1. Eat more fruits and vegetables

2. Eliminate junk food

3. Limit portions

4. No dairy

Instead of making yourself crazy trying every new fad diet that comes around lets apply common sense.  If many of these diets are suggesting the same things then perhaps we should take that advice.  Furthermore, the suggestions seem pretty sensible to me.  Who wouldn't benefit from eating more fruits and vegetables, eliminating junk food and dairy and limiting your portions. The next time you hear of a "new" diet, ask yourself if it follows these suggestions too.  Chances are it does!  It seems we don't really need a "diet"  we just need to follow a few sensible rules!