Conscious food choices can have a big impact on improved health. The 31 days of March have been designated as National Nutrition Month as a way to bring awareness to the vital role food plays in our collective and overall health and wellbeing. Mostly gone are the days of dieting by just simple and strict calorie cutting and in are the diets that highlight certain foods to achieve for specific benefits. Some of the newer diets trending in popularity explained: Plant-based Focusing on foods from plants, such as fruits and vegetables, but also nuts, seeds, whole grains and beans. Ketogenic Popularly known as ‘keto,’ the diet is very low in carbs (20 to 50 grams per day) and high in fats and proteins that benefit weight loss and controls blood sugar. Popular foods include lean meats, eggs, cheese and yogurt, leafy greens, peppers and avocados. Personalized nutrition A diet personalized to the individual after taking into account a person’s unique genetic, metabolic, phenotypic and medical information in order to meet that person’s needs. Immune health diet A supplement to a traditional healthy diet that focuses on foods to support a healthy and thriving immune system, such as poultry, shellfish, peppers, green tea, almonds, yogurt, spinach, garlic, broccoli and citrus fruits. MIND diet Adding foods to a traditional diet that results in minimizing inflammation and insulin resistance while nourishing neurons and synapse connections. These include kale, spinach, broccoli and other foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants. Microbiome A version of the plant-based diet that promotes good digestion through beneficial microorganisms in the stomach. These include non-starch fruits and vegetables, grass-fed meats and wild fish while avoiding processed foods, sugar, dairy and salts. Primary care at McLaren Oakland Make an appointment with a McLaren Oakland primary care provider who can increase your overall health. Click here