DIETS tend to be a lonely activity.
Unless you've signed up to a Weightwatchers or Slimming World group this January it's likely you'll be on your lonesome sipping bile green broccoli and kale juice while your friends polish off four bottles of red wine on a Friday night.
Of course, there are many omissions here; 'dirty food' establishments aren't welcome.
You're now counting the calories of everything from chewing gum to apples. You're not going out this month. You're resolved, disciplined and a tad self-righteous - albeit bored but hey, you're slimming.
However, you will need some respite at some point. Luckily there are a number of restaurants out there that provide diet-happy options and allow you to socialise (hooray!).
Body Confidential has arranged a list of restaurants below of the menus most suited to this year's most popular diets; from the carb-phobic, to the gluten avoiders.
Of course, there are many omissions here; the 'dirty food' lot aren't welcome, and it's down to you to avoid the wine list and a large side of chips....
ATKINS DIET | Fazenda | Spinningfields
There’s a simple premise to the Atkins diet: eat meat, don't eat carbohydrates (they're the devil).
First introduced by Dr Atkins in 1970s and re-launched back in 2002, it meant you were able to eat bacon, sausages and eggs to your heart's content. Problem is, after a while you crave everything carby from orange peels to raw potatoes. Regardless, in seven days people were said to lose up to 7lbs. Crikey.
The restaurant pick for this diet was easy.
New Spinningfields Brazilian restaurant, Fazenda, brings prime cuts of meat (slow-grilled to preserve their tenderness and flavour), carved for you at your table. The best bit (the diet friendly bit) you're able to control what vegetables you put on your plate at the salad bar and choose the greens that are approved by Dr Atkins. More so, you're able to control how much meat you eat by flipping the coloured disc at the table.
Fazenda Manchester
PALEO/CAVEMAN DIET | Mr Cooper's House and Garden | The Midland Hotel
To truly eat like a caveman one must learn how to hunt and fish. Still, the Paleo diet - or caveman diet - wants us to eat like our ancestors and choose a diet rich in fish and meat while bypassing dairy, legumes and grains. If a caveman couldn't make or digest it, then you can't eat it (so bye-bye coffee, alcohol and cheese). They may have been uncivilised but they certainly weren’t fat.
Chances are cavemen didn’t have restaurants, so it's difficult to find an establishment that is suitable for Paleo dieters. Advice is to avoid carby and doughy Mexican and Italian restaurants as the Paleo diet is mainly gluten free.
British cuisine is better suited. Think meat and two veg (and strictly no spuds) when dining at Mr Cooper's House. Sure, it's a rich menu but there's room to be flexible. Replace any mash potatoes with either the spiced red cabbage or kale and spinach to stay on track.
Not really 'back to basics' but lamb And lentils at Mr Coopers
OKINAWA DIET | Sakana | Deansgate
The indigenous Okinawa islanders, situated at the southern tip of Japan in the Pacific Ocean, are reported to have the highest life expectancy in the world, with the average Okinawan living up to 100 years old. It's no wonder us westerners are looking to copy their diet.
The Okinawa diet is calorie restricted, anti-oxidant rich and focuses around fish, pork and vegetables. It's recommended that dieters limit the amount of rice consumed.
New Pan Asian restaurant Sakana on Peter Street is a great choice for people wanting to give this diet a good go. Serving up a good selection of sashimi, teppanyaki and robata dishes, they pay particular attention to freshness, and only serve when diners are ready. One problem, 'Sakana' is a Japanese term for 'eating food with alcohol'. The temptation to indulge could reach breaking point.
Live longer with Sakana?
MEDITERRANEAN DIET | Salvis Cucina | John Dalton Street
Again another diet that wants us to reject our homegrown eating habits and adopt the healthier lifestyles of elsewhere. The Mediterranean diet incorporates the traditional healthy living habits of people from countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. Mediterranean cuisine varies by region, but is largely based on vegetables, fruits, beans, whole grains, olive oil and fish. Unlike other popular diets, carbs are welcome here.
We've chosen Italian restaurant Salvis simply for its freshness (but best not order the calzone which is the size of a deflated American football - Ed). What to order? Tuna steak served with tomatoes, oregano, capers and olives.
Salvis Cucina
JUICE DETOX | The Fruit Exchange | Deansgate
The juice diet has become trendy of late. We reviewed it here. Trendies have been replacing meals with blended fruit and vegetable smoothies in a bid to rid the body of toxins. It's recommended that you don't fast for more than four days. You should feel energised, trimmer and your skin clearer.
The Fruit Exchange has a detox plan that provides just that (and they're offering 30% throughout January). While the café offers up fruity smoothies, its detox drinks contain a lot less sugar and are made up mostly of vegetables. The three day detox costs in the region of £65.
Juice Detox - not in order we know
GLUTEN-FREE | Tea 42 | High Street
It was reported that Gywneth Paltrow (known as an 'extreme' health enthusiast) has put her children on a 'no-gluten' diet - despite the fact they don't have coeliac disease. As a result, gluten (found in wheat) has become the new diet devil in health circles recently. Still, whether you're gluten free for health reasons or simply trying to lose weight, finding restaurants that serve up gluten-free grub can be tricky.
Tea 42 is celebrated for its gluten free menu. Owners William Hannah and business partner Jason Abbott wanted to tackle the lack of good, gluten-free places to eat in the UK and have provided a strong menu that allows dieters to dine without concern for the gluten content.
Tea 42 - gluten free bread
5:2 DIET | Wahu | Spinningfields
The 5:2 diet (also known as the Fast Diet) was the most popular diet in 2014. For two days of the week you stick to a rigid and controlled diet of only 500 calories (600 calories for men). For five other days you're rewarded with the recommended daily calorie allowance (2000 for women and 2500 for men - and maybe a cheeky bit of cake).
The diet means two days a week are spent juggling with work and a rumbling tummy. Low calorie options at lunchtime are limited and frankly, your homemade salads are boring.
Wahu provides fast dieters with a quick-fix lunchtime option. You can 'design your own meals' (like Subway, basically) and all are made fresh. Order the salmon with broccoli to keep calories as low as possible.
Wahu Manchester
VEGAN BEFORE 6PM (VB6) DIET | Greens | Didsbury
Writer Mark Bittman describes his 'Vegan Before 6pm' diet as 'less meat-arianism'. There's a basic rule: eat a vegan diet during the day and go back to your carnivorous lifestyle before Coronation Street comes on. He's lost 35 pounds following this diet and believes it can help control junk food cravings.
So you're a vegan now. Where to eat? Chef Simon Rimmer's popular Vegetarian restaurant Greens is perfect if you want to continue being green well after 6pm. What to order? Sweet potato, pea, cashew nut and green bean makhanawala curry with tomato, cucumber and coriander salad.
Greens Restaurant
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