January 3, 2023 – It's officially 2023, and if history repeats itself, tens of millions of Americans are likely vowing to shed those unwanted kilos for good this yr. After all, weight reduction normally ranks high in New Year's resolution surveys.
And just in time, there may be a guide to picking the very best plan. Published today, US News and World Reportannual rating of the best diet plans.
Once again, the Mediterranean weight-reduction plan, which focuses on fruits, vegetables, olive oil and fish, took first place as the very best weight-reduction plan overall. This is the sixth yr in a row that it has won this award. But many other diets also received top marks.
This yr, US NewsWith the assistance of greater than 30 nutritionists, doctors and epidemiologists, the Dietitian evaluated 24 diets in several categories to assist people discover a plan that matches their goals, whether it's the very best weight-reduction plan for losing a few pounds, the simplest to follow or plans for other goals, like managing diabetes or heart disease. Two recent categories were added: Best Diets for Healthy Bones and Joints and Best Family-Friendly Diets.
Over the past few years, the publication has rated 40 diets. Even if a weight-reduction plan isn't any longer rated, its profile with detailed information stays on the web site.
“Every year we ask ourselves what we can do better or differently next time,” says Gretel Schüller, editor-in-chief for health at US news. When the publication received feedback from its experts this yr, they were asked to contemplate, amongst many other aspects, the sustainability of diets and whether or not they meet the needs of a busy family.
This yr's report evaluates the plans in 11 categories.
The winners and the categories:
Best diets overall
After the Mediterranean weight-reduction plan, two share second place:
- DASH weight-reduction plan (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) combats hypertension and focuses on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and low-fat dairy products.
- Flexitarian weight-reduction plan that focuses on fruits, vegetables and other healthy foods, but additionally allows occasional meat.
The best diets for weight reduction
First place went to WW, formerly often known as Weight Watchers. The plan not only emphasizes weight reduction, but additionally healthier eating and regular exercise. The points program, which assigns certain points to certain foods and provides a day by day points budget, is more personal than previously.
- DASH took second place.
- The Mayo Clinic weight-reduction plan and the TLC weight-reduction plan share the third place. The Mayo Clinic weight-reduction plan focuses on fruits, vegetables and whole grains. It helps people improve their eating habits. The TLC (Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes) weight-reduction plan focuses on vegetables, fruits, lean protein and lowering cholesterol.
The best diets for fast weight reduction
First place went to the keto weight-reduction plan, a high-fat, low-carbohydrate weight-reduction plan whose goal is to drop a few pounds by burning fat. Four other diets shared second place:
- Atkins, a weight-reduction plan developed by cardiologist Robert Atkins that starts with only a few carbohydrates after which recommends regularly eating more until the burden loss goal is reached
- Nutrisystem, a business program that features prepared meals and focuses on high-protein, low-glycemic foods to stabilize blood sugar levels
- Optavia, a plan that focuses on low-carb, low-calorie foods and includes fortified meal substitute products
- SlimFast weight-reduction plan, a plan with shakes, smoothies and bars that replaces two out of three meals a day
Best diets for a healthy weight-reduction plan
- Mediterranean
- HYPHEN
- Flexitarian
Best Heart Healthy Diets
- HYPHEN
- Mediterranean
- Flexitarian and Ornish share third place. The Ornish weight-reduction plan focuses on plant-based and whole foods and limits animal products. It recommends day by day exercise and stress reduction.
Best Diets for Diabetes
- HYPHEN
- Mediterranean
- Flexitarian
Best diets for bone and joint health
DASH and the Mediterranean weight-reduction plan are tied for first place, followed by the flexitarian weight-reduction plan.
Best family-friendly diets
There is a three-way tie on this category: the flexitarian weight-reduction plan, the Mediterranean weight-reduction plan and the TLC weight-reduction plan.
Best Plant Based Diets
First got here the Mediterranean weight-reduction plan, then the flexitarian weight-reduction plan and the MIND weight-reduction plan. The MIND weight-reduction plan combines the DASH and Mediterranean diets and focuses on “brain-healthy” foods.
The easiest diets to follow
Flexitarian and TLC take first place, followed by DASH and Mediterranean.
Best weight-reduction plan programs (formerly called business plans)
- WW
- Second place was shared by Jenny Craig and Noom. Noom focuses on low-calorie foods with personalized calorie ranges and training to assist you achieve your goals.
methodology
Various aspects were taken into consideration, corresponding to whether a weight-reduction plan includes all food groups, how easy it's to follow, whether it could possibly be adapted to cultural and private preferences, and whether there may be a practical timetable for weight reduction.
Reply from Diet Plans
Representatives of two plans that had received mixed reviews within the rankings responded.
Jenny Craig got here in second place for best weight-reduction plan program, but fared significantly worse within the family-friendliness category, coming in twenty second out of 24.
“Our program is designed to meet the needs of the individual through personalized experiences,” says Mandy Dowson, CEO of Jenny Craig. “Many families participate in our program together, but are still assessed separately to set appropriate individual goals.”
The high rating as the very best weight-reduction plan program is reflected within the feedback from satisfied members, she says. Innovations include the brand new Jenny Fresh program, a variety of important meals which might be freshly prepared and delivered to customers' doorsteps.
Atkins got here in second within the “lose weight fast” category, but got here in last within the “overall” and “weight loss,” “diabetes,” “healthy eating” and “heart health” categories. Colette Heimowitz, vice chairman of nutrition and education at Simply Good Foods, which makes Atkins foods, says low-carb diets are a viable option for everybody today.
“There are more than 130 independent, peer-reviewed published studies demonstrating the effectiveness and safety of low-carb diets,” she says. “The studies have been conducted for several decades and the number is growing.”
Expert opinion
Samantha Cassetty, a registered dietitian, nutritionist and wellness expert in New York City and creator of Sugar shockreviewed the report for WebMD. She was not involved in compiling the rankings.
“I think this shows that the best diet overall is also the best for different conditions,” she says. For example, the Mediterranean weight-reduction plan, primary overall, also received high rankings for diabetes, heart health, and bone and joint health, she points out.
For consumers trying to drop a few pounds: “If you're losing weight quickly, that should be a red flag. A healthy weight loss diet is one you can stick to,” she says.
She will not be a fan of the ready-meal programs. “It takes the guesswork out of it, but the portion sizes are often unsatisfying. They don't teach you how to deal with some of the challenges. [such as realizing an ‘ideal’ portion size].”
How to use the report
Schueller’s advice: “Realize that there is no diet that is suitable for everyone.” When choosing a plan, she recommends thinking long-term.
“Whatever we choose, it has to work in the long term,” she says.
Consumers should consider cost, meal preparation time and whether the diet fits their lifestyle.
Ideally, she says, the best diet “teaches you prepare food intelligently and make healthy decisions. It also gives you the pliability to be social and eat in groups, whether with family or friends.”
Before deciding on a weight-reduction plan, seek the advice of a health care provider for advice. US News Precautionary measures.