Mediterranean Diet evaluated best by experts for 2021 in new rating

An expert panel consisting of Louis Aronne, Sanford I. Weill Professor of Metabolic Research at Weill-Cornell Medical College, and colleagues evaluated and ranked 39 diets. To be top-rated, a diet had to be safe, relatively easy to follow, nutritious and effective for weight loss. It also had to be stellar at preventing diabetes and heart disease.

Diets that made the bottom of the list included the Modified Keto Diet (a less drastic version of the Keto Diet; #35), the Whole30 Diet (#35), the GAPS (Gut and Psychology Syndrome) Diet (a complicated elimination diet; #37), the Keto Diet (#37), and the Dukan Diet (#39), which the experts thought was too restrictive, difficult to follow, and unlikely to result in long-term success.

For diabetes prevention and management, the Flexitarian Diet (tied for #1), the Mediterranean Diet (tied for #1), the DASH Diet (tied for #3), the Mayo Clinic Diet (tied for #3), and the Vegan Diet (tied for #3) were at the top of the list, while the DASH Diet (tied for #1), the Mediterranean Diet (tied for #1) and the Ornish Diet (#1) were voted best heart-healthy diets.

For losing weight faster, the experts chose the HMR (Health Maintenance Resources) Program (delivered meal replacement; #1), the Atkins Diet (tied for #2), and the WW Diet (tied for #2).

Reference: U.S. News' 39 Best Diets Overall