The best diets of 2023 have been revealed — just in time for resolution season.
With the guidance of more than 30 nutritionists, doctors and epidemiologists, U.S. News & World Report revealed its annual Best Diets rankings.
And, for the sixth year in a row, the Mediterranean diet took the top spot for best diet overall.
The diet — which involves eating plant-based foods, grains and lean poultry along with healthy doses of extra-virgin olive oil — was also the top dog in the report’s healthy eating category and the best plant-based diet.
The annual rankings rate diets in 11 specific categories, ranging from heart-healthy diets to the easiest ones to follow.
“If you want to eat healthier, choosing a diet that is right for you can be difficult,” Gretel Schueller, managing editor of health at U.S. News, said in a press release.
“The U.S. News rankings examine diets that are well-researched and provide sustainable weight loss tips. We added two new categories to this year’s rankings to provide even more options to support a healthy lifestyle.”
The Mediterranean diet doesn’t focus on a specific nutrient or food group, but rather stresses the importance of focusing on quality and filling your plate with a wide range of foods, such as fruits, vegetables, seafood, olive oil and whole grains.
The Mediterranean diet tied with the DASH diet for the best diet for bone and joint health while also scoring the number one spot for family-friendly diets alongside the Flexitarian diet.
The DASH diet, which stands for dietary approaches to stop hypertension, and the Flexitarian diet — a combination of the words “flexible” and “vegetarian” — are tied for the No. 2 spot on the overall list.
The DASH diet focuses on eating foods high in blood pressure-lowering nutrients like potassium, calcium, magnesium and fiber while the Flexitarian diet focuses on eating more plants, but not completely eliminating meat.
The top 10 best diets overall are as follows:
- No. 1: Mediterranean Diet
- No. 2 (tie): DASH Diet
- No. 2 (tie): The Flexitarian Diet
- No. 4: MIND Diet
- No. 5: TLC Diet
- No. 6 (tie): Mayo Clinic Diet
- No. 6 (tie): Volumetrics Diet
- No. 8: WW (Weight Watchers) Diet
- No. 9: Dr. Weil’s Anti-Inflammatory Diet
- No. 10: Ornish Diet
U.S. News & World Report ranks the diets through a method that considers the assessments and calculations from top specialists in nutrition, diabetes, heart health and weight loss.
As for the best weight-loss diets, WeightWatchers ranked number one while the Keto diet took the top spot for the best fast weight-loss diet.
Recently, a recent study found that the “green” Mediterranean diet helps burn fat three times faster than typical healthy eating.