Experts Weigh In on Best Diets for 2024

The Mediterranean Diet was picked as the best diet overall for 2024, according to new rankings released by US News and World Report.

An expert panel assessed 30 diets to come up with the final results, examining the evidence behind each diet’s claims. Specifically, they evaluated the likelihood of short-term and long-term weight loss, how easy the diet was to follow, how well it conformed to current nutrition standards, and whether it could be an effective tool for diabetes and cardiovascular disease prevention.

The Mediterranean diet was found to be nutritionally sound, focusing on a wide range of foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, legumes, olive oil, herbs and spices. Additionally, the experts deemed it to be safe and easy to follow for all people, including older adults and children.  

Diets that rounded out the top spots for best overall included the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) Diet (#2), the MIND (Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay) Diet (#3), the Mayo Clinic Diet (#4), and the Flexitarian Diet (a mostly vegetarian diet; #5).

Diets that made the bottom of the list included the Dukan Diet (#28), the Herbalife Nutrition Diet (#29), and the Raw Food Diet (unsafe for some individuals; #30). The experts thought these diets were too restrictive, difficult to follow, and unlikely to result in long-term success; The low rankings were given based on limited research to support use and the potential for nutritional deficits.

As for diabetes prevention and management, the Mediterranean Diet was given the top spot, followed by the DASH Diet (#2), and the Flexitarian Diet (#3). The best heart-healthy diets included the Mediterranean Diet (#1), the DASH Diet (#2), and the Ornish Diet (#3). The Mediterranean Diet was also top-rated for promoting bone and joint health, followed by the DASH Diet (#2), and the Flexitarian Diet (#3).

For those looking for a quick way to drop the extra holiday pounds, the experts chose the Keto Diet (#1), the Atkins Diet (#2) and the HMR Program (#3; Health Maintenance Resources, a delivered meal replacement plan). For sustained weight loss, the Weight Watchers Diet (#1), the Mediterranean (#2), and the Volumetrics Diet (#3) were chosen as safe and effective methods.

Additional diet rankings can be found here.