For heart and weight loss: Doctors rank best diets for 2024
Which diets are the best for you? (photo: Freepik)
Every year, experts compile a ranking of the best diets or dietary models. It is based on assessments from 43 professionals of various medical backgrounds, public health experts, and scientists. This year, they evaluated 30 diets and selected the best ones in 10 categories, according to dietitian Oleg Shvets on Facebook.
Mediterranean diet
The Mediterranean diet claimed the top spot as the best overall diet or dietary model. Its emphasis on consuming fruits, vegetables, olive oil, fish, and the overall quality of nutrition rather than focusing on a single nutrient or food group has secured its position for seven consecutive years.
DASH diet
Addressing high blood pressure and preventing or controlling diabetes, the DASH diet secured the second position. It revolves around the consumption of fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy, whole grains, fish, poultry, legumes, and nuts, with an emphasis on salt restriction.
MIND diet
The MIND diet, combining elements of DASH and the Mediterranean diet with a focus on brain-boosting and potentially cognitive decline-reducing foods, claimed the third spot among the best overall diets. It also ranked first in six out of ten other categories, recognized as the best diet for diabetes, heart health, bone and joint health, as well as the easiest diet to follow, the best family diet, and the top choice for healthy eating.
Best diets for weight loss
WeightWatchers, based on ranking foods in points according to their nutritional and energy value, the Mediterranean diet, and the volumetric diet, which substitutes calorie-dense foods with those having lower energy value but larger volume, made the top three.
Best diets for quick weight loss
The ketogenic diet, Atkins diet, and HMR diet—low-fat and low-calorie, with individuals purchasing the program receiving specialized meals—were considered to be the top three diets for rapid weight loss.
"Dietitians identified the Mediterranean, DASH, and flexitarian dietary model as the best diets for diabetes, bone and joint health, family, healthy eating, and the easiest to follow. The latter is a semi-vegetarian diet emphasizing fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and plant-based protein. This year, it ranked first among plant-based diets," explained the dietitian.
Among the top three diets for heart health, a low-fat and high-carbohydrate diet by Dr. Ornish also made the cut.
Also, read about what you can eat before bedtime if you're feeling very hungry.
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