U.S. News evaluated and ranked 38 diets with input from a panel of health experts. To be top-rated, a diet had to be relatively easy to follow, nutritious, safe and effective for weight loss and preventing diabetes and heart disease. The government-endorsed Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) snagged the top spot.
#1 DASH Diet
DASH was developed to fight high blood pressure, not as an all-purpose diet. But it certainly looked like an all-star to our panel of experts, who gave it high marks for its nutritional completeness, safety, ability to prevent or control diabetes and role in supporting heart health. Though obscure, it beat out a field full of better-known diets.
Overall rank: 1
Overall score: 4.1 out of 5
#2 (tie) MIND Diet
The MIND diet takes two proven diets – DASH and Mediterranean – and zeroes in on the foods in each that specifically affect brain health. It made an impressive debut to the 2016 rankings, shooting up to second place overall, tying with the TLC diet. It's a healthy, sensible plan with science behind it.
Overall rank: 2
Overall score: 4 out of 5
#2 (tie) TLC Diet
Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes, or TLC, is a very solid diet plan created by the National Institutes of Health. It has no major weaknesses, and it’s particularly good at promoting cardiovascular health. One expert described it as a “very healthful, complete, safe diet.” But it requires a “do-it-yourself” approach, in contrast to the hand-holding provided by some commercial diets.
Overall rank: 2
Overall score: 4 out of 5
#4 (tie) The Fertility Diet
If you make these changes to your diet, weight and activity, you can increase ovulation and get pregnant faster – or so the claim goes. The Fertility Diet impressed experts, receiving moderate-to-high scores across the board. It performed particularly well in the diabetes, easiness, nutrition and safety categories. Still, if getting pregnant is your aim, some skepticism is warranted. “I find it difficult to believe it can help with fertility,” one expert said.
Overall rank: 4
Overall score: 3.9 out of 5
#4 (tie) Mayo Clinic Diet
This is the Mayo Clinic’s take on how to make healthy eating a lifelong habit. It earned especially high ratings from our experts for its nutrition and safety and as a tool against diabetes. Experts found it moderately effective for weight loss.
Overall rank: 4
Overall score: 3.9 out of 5
#4 (tie) Mediterranean Diet
With its emphasis on fruits and vegetables, olive oil, fish and other healthy fare, the Mediterranean diet is eminently sensible. And experts’ assessments of it were resoundingly positive, giving this diet an edge over many competitors.
Overall rank: 4
Overall score: 3.9 out of 5
#4 (tie) Weight Watchers Diet
Weight Watchers is a smart, effective diet. It surpassed other commercial diet plans in multiple areas, including short- and long-term weight loss and how easy it is to follow. It’s also nutritionally sound and safe, according to experts. Among its pluses: an emphasis on group support, lots of fruits and vegetables and room for occasional indulgences.
Overall rank: 4
Overall score: 3.9 out of 5
#8 (tie) The Flexitarian Diet
The Flexitarian Diet outperformed many of its competitors, with particularly high scores in nutritional completeness, easiness to follow and long-term weight loss. One panelist noted that this diet is “a nice approach that could work for the whole family,” and another described it as a “very good” plan.
Overall rank: 8
Overall score: 3.8 out of 5
#8 (tie) Volumetrics Diet
Volumetrics outperformed its competitors in many categories. It earned particularly high marks for being safe and nutritious, and experts said it could have a positive effect on heart health and diabetes. “This is an eating plan that everyone can benefit from,” one expert said.
Overall rank: 8
Overall score: 3.8 out of 5
#10 Jenny Craig Diet
Jenny Craig drew praise from experts for being easy to follow, nutritionally complete and safe and for offering dieters emotional support. But these experts were lukewarm about its potential to bolster heart health or help diabetics. Experts also noted that Jenny Craig’s cost could be a roadblock for some.
Overall rank: 10
Overall score: 3.7 out of 5
#11 (tie) The Biggest Loser Diet
The Biggest Loser Diet received high marks for short-term weight loss, safety and soundness as a regimen for diabetes, and it was rated moderately effective for heart health. But many panelists felt that in a sea of diets, it’s not overly special, and one said it’s merely “capitalizing on the name” of the popular TV show.
Overall rank: 11
Overall score: 3.6 out of 5
#11 (tie) The Ornish Diet
The Ornish Diet got a mixed reaction from experts. On one hand, it’s nutritionally sound, safe and tremendously heart-healthy. On the other, it’s not easy for dieters to adhere to the severe fat restriction the diet demands.
Overall rank: 11
Overall score: 3.6 out of 5
#13 (tie) The Traditional Asian Diet
The Traditional Asian diet is a reasonable choice for an eating pattern, landing around the middle of the pack of ranked diets. Experts handed out high marks in nutrition and safety, but doubted the plan’s ability to deliver short- or long-term weight loss.
Overall rank: 13
Overall score: 3.5 out of 5
#13 (tie) Vegetarian Diet
As a health diet, vegetarianism is solid. It’s decent at producing rapid weight loss, according to experts, and is strong in other areas, such as heart health and nutritional completeness, that arguably are more important.
Overall rank: 13
Overall score: 3.5 out of 5
#15 (tie) Anti-Inflammatory Diet
While the Anti-Inflammatory Diet itself is nutritionally sound, experts expressed concern. “Most Americans would benefit from adopting many of these principles, especially increasing fruits and vegetables,” one expert said. “What is lacking is scientific evidence that this diet will reduce inflammation in the body and that weight loss results from following it.”
Overall rank: 15
Overall score: 3.3 out of 5
#15 (tie) Slim-Fast Diet
Slim-Fast is a reasonable approach to dieting, experts concluded. It outscored a number of competitors on weight loss and as a diabetes diet, and being highly structured, it’s fairly easy to follow. But it scored lower than many other diets on heart health.
Overall rank: 15
Overall score: 3.3 out of 5
#15 (tie) Spark Solution Diet
The Spark Solution diet is designed around nutritious, reduced-calorie meals that optimize your metabolism, along with a regular fitness routine. Though it’s not particularly novel, it’s a sensible diet, and there’s a good chance it will help you lose weight and keep it off. It’s a “comprehensive program that can lead to healthier eating behaviors,” one expert said.
Overall rank: 15
Overall score: 3.3 out of 5
#18 (tie) The Flat Belly Diet
The Flat Belly diet landed in the middle of the pack because most of its scores from the experts were right around average. It did get high marks in safety and nutrition.
Overall rank: 18
Overall score: 3.2 out of 5
#18 (tie) HMR Program
The HMR Program received moderate scores in most measures. It did particularly well in categories such as short-term weight loss, nutrition, safety and healthiness. Still, some experts weren’t convinced the costly meal-replacement program is necessary. “I would only suggest this under extreme circumstances,” one said. “It’s very expensive and not practical for most people.”
Overall rank: 18
Overall score: 3.2 out of 5
#18 (tie) Nutrisystem Diet
Nutrisystem sits near the middle of the standings. It’s quite safe, easier to follow than many other diets and has few nutritional deficiencies, according to experts. As a heart diet, it’s off the mark.
Overall rank: 18
Overall score: 3.2 out of 5
#21 (tie) Abs Diet
The experts found the Abs Diet moderately effective for quick weight loss and middle of the road in most other respects. They took issue with the company’s claim that dieters can drop up to 12 pounds of belly fat in two weeks and questioned the evidence behind some of its tactics.
Overall rank: 21
Overall score: 3 out of 5
#21 (tie) Engine Diet
Experts handed out a below-average 3 stars to the Engine 2 Diet. Though they acknowledged its benefits for heart health and diabetes control and prevention, they faulted the program for being unnecessarily restrictive and “gimmicky,” and called for more research into some of its claims. “I fail to see anything unique, innovative or useful with this diet,” one expert said.
Overall rank: 21
Overall score: 3 out of 5
#21 (tie) South Beach Diet
Although the South Beach Diet earned positive ratings for being able to produce rapid weight loss, its restrictions can make it difficult for dieters to keep the pounds off, experts said. Most were less enthusiastic about its ability to combat diabetes or heart disease.
Overall rank: 21
Overall score: 3 out of 5
#21 (tie) Vegan Diet
Overall, the health experts were lukewarm on veganism despite giving it fairly high marks as a diabetes or heart disease diet. It is extremely restrictive, doesn’t offer built-in social support and may not provide enough of some nutrients.
Overall rank: 21
Overall score: 3 out of 5
#25 (tie) Eco-Atkins Diet
One expert summed up Eco-Atkins as a "healthier version of the Atkins diet, but compliance is likely to be more difficult." That's because it's restrictive and little guidance is available.
Overall rank: 25
Overall score: 2.9 out of 5
#25 (tie) Glycemic-Index Diet
Experts were less than impressed with the glycemic-index diet, which distinguishes “good” carbs from “bad.” They scored it particularly low on long-term weight loss, heart benefits and ease of adherence. Although the diet’s ratings in nutrition and safety were relatively strong, they couldn’t push the diet out of the lower third of the pack.
Overall rank: 25
Overall score: 2.9 out of 5
#25 (tie) Zone Diet
The Zone Diet lagged behind higher-ranked diets, if not always by much, in nearly all ratings categories, including weight loss, how easy it is to follow and its effect on diabetes and heart health. It’s "unnecessary and tedious to structure every meal around specific macronutrient thresholds," according to one expert; another stated there is "no magic with the diet."
Overall rank: 25
Overall score: 2.9 out of 5
#25 (tie) Macrobiotic Diet
Experts gave little credence to the macrobiotic diet on several counts: Following the plan is a challenge. It’s an extreme change from the standard American diet. And it’s awfully strict. The macrobiotic approach, one expert summed up, is “a mix of sound dietary guidance, mysticism, folklore and nonsense.”
Overall rank: 28
Overall score: 2.7 out of 5
#28 (tie) Medifast Diet
Experts were likewise unenthused about Medifast. It scored above average in short-term weight loss but was dragged down by lower marks in most other categories.
Overall rank: 28
Overall score: 2.7 out of 5
#30 (tie) Acid Alkaline Diet
The Acid Alkaline diet’s premise is that by helping your body control your pH through diet, you’ll gain health and longevity. pH is a measure of acids and alkalines throughout the body on a 0 to 14 scale, and supporters argue that eating acid-forming foods – like red meat – tips your pH balance out of whack and sets the stage for poor health. But don’t hold your breath for this diet to work. It’s “ridiculous and poorly researched,” one expert said. “It’s not based on science.”
Overall rank: 30
Overall score: 2.6 out of 5
#30 (tie) Super-Charged Hormone Diet
Experts were not eager to recommend the Supercharged Hormone Diet, which received mediocre marks in all categories. It performed particularly poorly in areas such as easiness to follow; long-term weight loss; nutrition; and effect on diabetes and heart health. “The premise of this diet is ridiculous – and it doesn’t promote long-term weight loss or improved eating behavior,” one expert concluded.
Overall rank: 30
Overall score: 2.6 out of 5
#32 (tie) Body Reset Diet
Experts were unenthusiastic about the Body Reset Diet, which received mediocre marks in all categories. It performed particularly poorly in areas such as long-term weight loss and easiness to follow. “It’s a gimmick – an unhealthy weight-loss diet,” one expert noted. “It’s not a way of sustainable eating.”
Overall rank: 32
Overall score: 2.5 out of 5
#32 (tie) The Fast Diet
This pattern of eating is often referred to as the 5:2 diet – you eat normally for five days of the week and cut your calories to about 25 percent of normal intake on two nonconsecutive days of the week. Men consume just 600 calories on their two weekly fast days, while women are limited to 500 calories. Not surprisingly, the experts had plenty of concerns, and the Fast Diet landed toward the bottom of the Best Diets Overall rankings.
Overall rank: 32
Overall score: 2.5 out of 5
#34 (tie) Atkins Diet
Many of our experts found the popular low-carb Atkins Diet leaves much to be desired, at least as an all-purpose diet. Although our expert panel concluded that it could outperform nearly all of its competitors in short-term weight loss, unfavorable marks in other measures – including long-term weight loss, nutrition, safety and heart health – yanked down Atkins in the standings.
Overall rank: 34
Overall score: 2.3 out of 5
#34 (tie) Raw Food Diet
The experts conferred solid marks on the Raw Food Diet for weight loss, both short- and long-term, but considered it all but impossible to follow, and its nutritional completeness and safety were concerns. “Doing it well involves considerable commitment and effort, knowledge and sacrifice,” one expert said. “And there are diets that require less of all these that are likely to be just as healthful.”
Overall rank: 34
Overall score: 2.3 out of 5
#36 (tie) Dukin Diet
Experts sent the Dukan Diet to nearly the bottom of the pack, handing out dismal ratings in almost every category. Its overall score was more than a full star below average. It’s too restrictive, with lots of rules, and there’s no evidence it works. One expert described the diet as “idiotic.”
Overall rank: 36
Overall score: 2 out of 5
#36 (tie) Paleo Diet
Experts took issue with the paleo diet on every measure. Regardless of the goal – weight loss, heart health or finding a diet that’s easy to follow – most experts concluded that it would be better for dieters to look elsewhere. “A true paleo diet might be a great option: very lean, pure meats, lots of wild plants,” said one expert – quickly adding, however, that duplicating such a regimen in modern times would be difficult.
Overall rank: 36
Overall score: 2 out of 5
#38 Whole30 Diet
According to our panelists, the Whole30 diet might as well be called the biggest loser. Complaints about its absence of scientific support; its severely restrictive nature; its elimination of whole grains, legumes and dairy; and its short-term approach and long-term promises landed this diet in last place overall.
Overall rank: 38
Overall score: 1.9 out of 5
The 38 Best Diets Overall was originally published on U.S. News & World Report.
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