MEDITERRANEAN DIET AT TOP POSITION FOR BEST OVERALL DIET

The Mediterranean diet has yet again scored top position in the best diet overall in the sixth consecutive year in the U.S. News & World Report's annual rankings of the best diet plans. The Mediterranean diet emphasizes vegetables, fruits, fish, and olive oil.

The Mediterranean diet was followed by the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet (2nd position), the Flexitarian diet (2nd), the MIND diet (4th), and the TLC diet for the best diet overall.

The U.S. News unveiled a new 2023 diet ranking with the help of nutrition and diet experts. With the help of nationally recognized experts comprising registered dietary nutritionists, medical doctors, weight-loss researchers, and nutritional epidemiologists who are leaders in their field, an in-depth survey was developed with over 40 questions about health and lifestyle goals.

Panelists were asked the questions that the readers most want answers to, such as: are all food groups included in the diet? Are nutrient-rich foods emphasized? Can the diet be easily adapted for the whole family? Is a plan for maintaining weight loss included? And many more.

Nutritional adequacy of the diet was also calculated based on the nutrients Americans are most likely deficient in, such as vitamin D and calcium. They also considered how effectively the diet would lead to weight loss and help prevent or manage several health conditions, including cardiovascular health, diabetes, inflammation, and bone and joint health.

Following the Mediterranean diet, two other diets were tied for second place. DASH diet fights high blood pressure and emphasizes vegetables, fruits, lean protein, whole grains, and low-fat dairy, A Flexitarian diet focuses on vegetables, fruits, and other healthy foods but also allows occasional meat.

In addition to the panelists, an extra layer of trustworthiness to the diet rankings was added by interviewing at least one nutrition expert for each story. These interviews add an extra layer of credibility to the diet rankings. An independent RDN also reviews each diet profile.

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