The beginning of a new year often brings resolutions and goals, and for many, achieving a healthier lifestyle is at the top of the list. One way people strive to achieve this is by exploring different diets and eating plans. In 2017, U.S.

News & World Report released a list of the most popular diets, based on input from a panel of health experts. These diets were evaluated based on various factors, including their potential for long-term weight loss, nutritional completeness, safety, and ease of following. Let’s take a look at the top diets of 2017.

1. The Mediterranean Diet

The Mediterranean Diet has consistently been ranked as one of the best diets for overall health. It emphasizes consuming fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and olive oil.

This diet also encourages moderate consumption of seafood, poultry, and dairy products. Red meat and sweets are limited in the Mediterranean Diet. The focus on heart-healthy fats, like those found in olive oil, as well as the high intake of fruits and vegetables, makes this diet a standout.

2. The DASH Diet

The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) Diet was originally designed to help lower blood pressure, but it has gained popularity for its overall health benefits.

This diet promotes eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy products. It limits foods high in saturated fats and added sugars. With an emphasis on nutrient-dense foods and reduced sodium intake, the DASH Diet is an excellent choice for those looking to improve their heart health.

3. The Flexitarian Diet

The Flexitarian Diet is a flexible approach to eating that encourages plant-based meals while allowing for occasional meat consumption. This diet focuses on incorporating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and plant-based proteins into your meals.

The Flexitarian Diet provides a balance between a vegetarian lifestyle and the flexibility to enjoy meat on occasion, making it a popular choice for those who want to adopt a more plant-based diet without completely eliminating animal products.

4. Weight Watchers

Weight Watchers has been a well-known and popular diet program for many years. It uses a points system to track and manage daily food intake.

Each food is assigned a point value based on its nutritional content, and individuals are given a daily points target to meet. Weight Watchers also offers support through in-person meetings or online forums. Its flexible approach and focus on overall lifestyle changes make it a sustainable option for many.

5. The MIND Diet

The MIND (Mediterranean-DASH Diet Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay) Diet combines elements of the Mediterranean Diet and the DASH Diet.

It is designed specifically to help support brain health and reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. The MIND Diet emphasizes consuming foods such as green leafy vegetables, berries, whole grains, olive oil, and fish, while limiting red meat, butter, cheese, pastries, and fried or fast foods.

6. The TLC Diet

The Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) Diet is recommended by the National Cholesterol Education Program as a way to lower cholesterol levels. It focuses on reducing saturated fat and cholesterol intake while incorporating more fiber and plant sterols.

The TLC Diet encourages the consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy products.

7. The Mayo Clinic Diet

The Mayo Clinic Diet is a lifestyle approach to weight loss that focuses on making long-term changes to promote a healthier lifestyle. It emphasizes healthy eating, regular physical activity, and behavior changes.

The diet encourages the consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats while limiting added sugars and saturated fats.

8. The Volumetrics Diet

The Volumetrics Diet focuses on consuming foods with low energy density, meaning they have fewer calories for their volume.

This diet encourages the consumption of low-calorie, nutrient-dense foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. By focusing on foods that are filling but low in calories, the Volumetrics Diet can help people feel satisfied while promoting weight loss.

9. The Nordic Diet

The Nordic Diet is based on the traditional eating patterns of countries like Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland. It emphasizes consuming locally sourced, seasonal foods such as berries, fish, whole grains, root vegetables, and rapeseed oil.

The Nordic Diet is rich in antioxidants, healthy fats, and fiber, making it a nutritious and sustainable eating plan.

10. The Ornish Diet

The Ornish Diet focuses on whole foods that are naturally low in fat and high in fiber. It was developed by Dr. Dean Ornish and is primarily plant-based.

The diet encourages the consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and soy products while limiting fats, refined carbohydrates, and animal products. It also emphasizes stress management techniques and regular exercise as part of a holistic approach to well-being.

Conclusion

These ten diets represent some of the most popular and well-known eating plans of 2017. Each diet has its own unique approach to nutrition and health, allowing individuals to find one that suits their specific goals and preferences.

Whether you’re looking to lose weight, improve heart health, support brain function, or simply adopt a healthier lifestyle, there is likely a diet on this list that can help you achieve your goals.