What You Should Know About The Engine 2 Diet

What diet will work the best for me? If only we all had the answer to that constant, nagging question, then we'd be set for success. But apart from those lucky few who have found long-term triumph with how they eat, the hunt shall continue for the rest of us. And the most recent diet to be put in the spotlight on our quest is the Engine 2 diet. Here's what you need to know.

According to Healthline, the Engine 2 diet appears to be a self-running engine as it does not require you to count calories or track what you eat. The diet's creator, Rip Esselstyn, is a former firefighter and triathlete. He created this eating plan to be heavily plant-based and low-fat in an effort to help prevent chronic diseases and live a healthier life. In Esselstyn's case, it appears the apple didn't fall far from the tree. Very Well Fit shares that his father, Caldwell Esselstyn, MD, is a physician and surgeon who also promotes plant-based eating to help prevent and dial back pre-existing heart disease.

Unlike many other diets, the Engine 2 diet doesn't emphasize weight loss but is more about becoming a "plant-strong individual," claims Very Well Fit. This is done by eliminating animal products and vegetables oils and skipping out on refined and processed foods. Instead, the diet encourages consuming more whole foods such as: whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. The Engine 2 diet also calls for its followers to limit their "healthy" foods like avocados and dried fruits because of their fat and sugar content, per Healthline.

The startup costs for this diet is very little. You can purchase the books and the cookbooks that are created for the eating plan, but it's not completely necessary, as the diet's website, Plant Strong, offers a bunch of free recipes, tips, and even podcast episodes for its followers. If you are one who prefers a little extra guidance, U.S. News claims you can purchase an online meal planner for the Engine 2 diet that gives access to personalized meal recommendations, grocery lists, and recipes for $14 a month.

It appears as if health experts agree with the diet's low-fat, vegan premise for a healthier lifestyle. In a panel done by U.S. News, health experts ranked a total of 39 diets, and the Engine 2 diet landed at spot 10 in "best plant-based diets," tied in spot seven for "best diabetes diets," and was ranked ninth overall for "best heart-healthy diets." Healthline states that the benefits of the Engine 2 diet are that it can help with weight loss, encourages eating nutrient-dense foods, and is rather straightforward. The drawbacks are that it is restrictive, and meal planning can take up a good chunk of time. Very Well Fit also notes that you may need to start taking a vitamin D supplement, as it can be hard to get the needed amount on a meatless diet.

So is the Engine 2 diet possibly the best diet for you? It could be worth a try if you're willing to give up all animal products and commit to low-fat options. If not, then don't worry. There are plenty of other diets to shove into the spotlight in our quest to find the one that will work best for you.