Healthiest Diet Programs List 2018 – Where Do Frequently Mentioned Diets Rank?

US News announced, as it does every year, its Best Diets Listat the start of this year. The list was prepared by a team of more than 20 experts, including leading nutrition specialists, diet counselors and doctors specializing in diabetes, heart health and weight loss. Let us look at this year's list, compiled by editors who spent months reviewing medical scientific publications and reports to develop a profile for each diet.

Dukan, ketogenic or alkaline diet are portrayed in national and international news and social media as the healthiest diets for rapid weight loss. Yet US News places Dukan and keto in the bottom two positions and the alkaline diet at number 31. The Mediterranean diet , which we often discuss and whose scientific evidence we frequently emphasize, shares first place with the DASH diet .

The Dukan diet is protein-heavy and aims at weight loss. The keto diet is a low-carbohydrate, high-fat regimen.

The list provided comprehensive information on 40 diet plans across nine categories to help millions achieve a healthier lifestyle. According to the research, the Mediterranean diet offers balanced nutrition, increases longevity and helps prevent a range of chronic diseases. It aims at brain and heart health, weight loss, and cancer and diabetes prevention and control. Its components include fruit, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, olive oil, legumes, herbs, seafood, yogurt and cheese.

- Related topic: What is healthy eating?

Best Diets

Overall Ranking

1. DASH Diet
2. Mediterranean Diet
3. Flexitarian Diet

Best Diets for Healthy Eating

1. DASH Diet
2. Mediterranean Diet 
3. Flexitarian Diet 
4. TLC Diet

Easiest Diets to Follow

1. Mediterranean Diet
2. Flexitarian Diet 
3. Weight Watchers

Best Diets for Diabetes

1. Mediterranean Diet
2. DASH Diet
3. Flexitarian Diet
4. Mayo Clinic Diet
5. Vegan Diet
6. Volumetrics Diet
7. Weight Watchers

Best Heart-Healthy Diets

1. DASH Diet
2. Mediterranean Diet
3. Ornish Diet

Best Plant-Based Diets

1. Mediterranean Diet
2. Flexitarian Diet
3. Ornish Diet

Best Weight-Loss Diets

1. Weight Watchers
2. Volumetrics Diet
3. Jenny Craig
4. Vegan Diet

Best Fast Weight-Loss Diets

1. HMR Diet
2. Weight Watchers
3. Biggest Loser Diet
4. Medifast
5. SlimFast
6. Volumetrics

Best Commercial Diets

1. Weight Watchers
2. Jenny Craig
3. Flat Belly Diet (tie)
4. Nutritarian Diet (tie)

In conclusion, we physicians should make recommendations grounded in reason and science. Of course, we cannot say that a single diet delivers health, but we should not mislead people seeking to invest more in health and healthy living; we should encourage them to follow the direction shown by science. Otherwise, we merely confuse people we cannot persuade to stop smoking by making them give up healthy foods such as yogurt.

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