Reviewed by Tammy Guseman MHA, MSN, APRN, CNP of Forum Health Akron
At a Glance:
When it comes to improving your health or achieving specific wellness goals, food is one of the most powerful tools at your disposal. But with so much information out there, it can be challenging to determine the best approach for you.
Should you follow a diet?
Or would an eating pattern better support your long-term health?
While these terms are often used interchangeably, they represent two distinct approaches to nutrition, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. At Forum Health, our providers are equipped to help you understand the differences so you can make an informed decision.
What’s the Difference Between an Eating Pattern and a Diet?
An eating pattern refers to the habitual way you consume food over time. It’s a flexible, sustainable approach that emphasizes balance, variety, and moderation.
Often aligned with lifestyle and cultural preferences—such as the Mediterranean or plant-based eating styles—eating patterns encourage consistency and a positive relationship with food rather than focusing on strict rules or rapid outcomes.
This approach allows for adjustments based on personal preferences, lifestyle, or health needs, making it easier to maintain over the long term. A balanced eating pattern also promotes variety, reducing the risk of nutritional deficiencies and fostering overall health.
What to Expect When Adopting a New Eating Pattern:
- Sustainability: Offers a flexible, long-term approach.
- Variety & Balance: Promotes health and reduces the risk of nutritional deficiencies.
- Positive Mindset: Encourages consistency and a healthy relationship with food.
- Slower Results: It may take longer to see physical, mental or emotional changes.
- Lack of Structure: Can be challenging for those who need more guidance or support.
- Less Targeted for a Specific Goal: May not provide immediate solutions for specific health or aesthetic goals.
In contrast, a diet is a more structured plan with specific rules about what and how much to eat. Diets are typically designed for a particular purpose, such as weight loss, muscle gain, or managing a health condition and may be medically necessary.
Examples include the ketogenic diet, Whole30, or intermittent fasting. While diets can yield quick results, they often feel restrictive over time, and may not be sustainable in the long run.
What to Expect When Adopting a New Diet:
- Clear Structure: Provides specific guidelines for eating.
- Rapid Results: Effective for quick changes in weight or health markers.
- Medical Use: Certain diets are recommended to address specific health conditions and may not be suitable for everyone.
- Restrictive: Can lead to feelings of deprivation.
- Unsustainable: Difficult to maintain over the long term.
- Risk of Nutritional Imbalances: Excluding food groups can cause deficiencies.
- May Develop a Negative Relationship with Food: Encourages an “all-or-nothing” mindset.
In the end, the key to making lasting health improvements lies in finding an approach that feels right for you, whether it’s a flexible eating pattern or a structured diet plan and understanding when each is suitable.
5 Eating Patterns to Explore for Better Health and Food Freedom
It is important to note that an eating pattern is a long-term nutrition style. It may even come after you’ve completed a diet to reach a specific goal or uncover allergies or food sensitivities. Exploring several eating patterns and tailoring what works best for your physical, mental and emotional health is key. These are just a few suggestions to get you started.
- Mediterranean Eating Pattern: Focuses on whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, olive oil, and moderate amounts of fish and dairy. If you are aiming to improve heart health, reduce inflammation, and enjoy a flavorful, sustainable way of eating this is a great option.
- Plant-Based Eating: Centers on plant-derived foods while minimizing or excluding animal products. Remember to consult with your provider before eliminating any food groups entirely. This could be an option after doing something like an elimination diet or if recommended to manage chronic diseases like diabetes or heart disease, or if you’re seeking an ethical, eco-friendly lifestyle.
- DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension): Prioritizes low-sodium, nutrient-rich foods to lower blood pressure and is typically recommended for individuals with hypertension or those seeking a heart-healthy lifestyle. Additionally, the DASH diet was named “Best Heart-Healthy Diet” and “Best Diet for High Blood Pressure” in 2025 by U.S. News & World Report.
- Intuitive Eating: Encourages listening to hunger and fullness cues without strict rules. This may be a lifestyle modification made for people recovering from disordered eating habits or seeking a balanced, non-restrictive approach to food.
- Traditional Indigenous Eating: Emphasizes nutrient-dense, minimally processed traditional foods from specific cultures. If you’re looking to reconnect with your cultural heritage or seeking whole, unprocessed foods this pattern can offer insight and empowerment.
6 Diets and How They May Be Used to Investigate Health Outcomes or Manage Conditions
As mentioned, diets have an end goal and typically should be adhered to for a short amount of time due to their restrictive nature. We recommend working closely with your health coach or Forum Health provider before starting any restrictive diet.
- Ketogenic Diet: High-fat, low-carb diet that induces ketosis for energy production. May be recommended for individuals managing epilepsy (under medical supervision) or those seeking rapid weight loss or blood sugar control.
- Paleo Diet: Focuses on foods consumed by early humans, such as lean meats, fish, and vegetables. It could be recommended for those with autoimmune conditions or digestive issues aiming to reduce inflammation.
- Low-FODMAP Diet: Limits fermentable carbohydrates to reduce digestive symptoms. May be recommended for individuals with IBS or other functional gastrointestinal disorders.
- Intermittent Fasting: Alternates periods of eating with fasting, such as the 16:8 method. Results and benefits differ by age and gender, consult a provider before starting.
- Whole30: A 30-day elimination diet to identify food sensitivities. This protocol helps to reset unhealthy habits or pinpoint triggers for digestive or inflammatory issues with a reintroduction phase that leads to a personalized eating pattern, “food freedom” applying the takeaways from the 30 days.
- Carnivore Diet: A highly restrictive diet that focuses exclusively on animal-based foods, such as meat, fish, eggs, and some dairy – it’s considered a keto diet and should be discussed with a provider before starting.
Make Food Your Friend and Find Freedom in Nutrition
For years now, there has been a shift to a more holistic approach to food. The U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and of Agriculture (USDA) have updated recommendations to shift towards eating patterns emphasizing long-term wellbeing through food.
"The new Dietary Guidelines move away from previous iterations which focused primarily on individual dietary components such as food groups and nutrients and instead focus on eating patterns and their food and nutrient characteristics. “These Guidelines … embody the idea that a healthy eating pattern is not a rigid prescription, but rather, an adaptable framework in which individuals can enjoy foods that meet their personal, cultural, and traditional preferences and fit within their budget,” write the guideline authors in the Executive Summary."
Whether you opt for an eating pattern or a diet should depend on your unique health goals, lifestyle, and preferences. A personalized approach, often blending elements of both, can offer the best of both worlds.
How Forum Health Can Help You on Your Food Journey
At Forum Health, we believe in tailoring nutritional guidance to meet your individual needs. Whether you want to adopt a sustainable eating pattern or need a short-term diet to address a specific health concern, our health coaches and providers can help you find the right approach. Together, we’ll create a plan that aligns with your goals and supports your long-term wellness.
Ready to take the next step? Schedule a consultation with a Forum Health provider to start your journey to better health today!
