If you’re looking to improve your health in the new year, one of the first things you should consider is your diet. While fad diets may seem tempting, they often offer short-term results at the expense of your overall health.
Instead, you should aim to follow a diet that is well-balanced, nutritious, and sustainable in the long-term.
To help you out, U.S.News & World Report has ranked the top diets of 2017 based on criteria such as nutritional value, safety, and effectiveness for weight loss and disease prevention.
1. DASH Diet
The DASH diet, or Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, is designed to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease.
The diet emphasizes whole grains, lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables, while limiting sodium, sugar, and saturated fat. The DASH diet has been shown to be effective for weight loss, reducing cholesterol levels, and improving overall health.
2. Mediterranean Diet
The Mediterranean diet focuses on the traditional foods and cooking styles of the countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea.
The diet emphasizes plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and nuts, as well as healthy fats such as olive oil and fish. The Mediterranean diet is associated with a lower risk of heart disease, cancer, and other chronic conditions.
3. MIND Diet
The MIND diet, or Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay, is a hybrid of the DASH and Mediterranean diets that is specifically designed to improve brain health and reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
The diet emphasizes leafy greens, nuts, berries, whole grains, fish, and poultry, while limiting red meat, alcohol, and high-fat dairy products.
4. Flexitarian Diet
The Flexitarian diet is a plant-based diet that allows for occasional meat and animal products. The diet emphasizes fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, while limiting processed foods and sugary drinks.
The Flexitarian diet is associated with improved heart health, weight loss, and overall wellness.
5. Weight Watchers
Weight Watchers is a commercial weight loss program that emphasizes healthy eating and lifestyle changes.
The program assigns point values to foods based on their nutritional value, and encourages participants to make healthier choices and engage in physical activity. Weight Watchers has been shown to be effective for weight loss and improving overall health.
6. Mayo Clinic Diet
The Mayo Clinic Diet is a lifestyle approach that emphasizes healthy eating and physical activity. The diet emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, while limiting sugar and saturated fat.
The Mayo Clinic Diet is associated with improved heart health, weight loss, and overall wellness.
7. TLC Diet
The TLC diet, or Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes, is designed to lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. The diet emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, while limiting saturated fat and cholesterol.
The TLC diet has been shown to be effective for lowering cholesterol levels and improving overall health.
8. Nordic Diet
The Nordic diet is a plant-based diet that emphasizes traditional foods of the Nordic countries such as Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark.
The diet is rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, fish, and low-fat dairy products, while limiting processed foods, sugar, and saturated fat. The Nordic diet is associated with a lower risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions.
9. Volumetrics Diet
The Volumetrics diet is based on the idea that low-calorie, high-volume foods are more satisfying and lead to better weight loss and overall health.
The diet emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy products, while limiting processed foods, sugar, and saturated fat. The Volumetrics diet has been shown to be effective for weight loss and improving overall health.
10. Ornish Diet
The Ornish diet is a low-fat, plant-based diet that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and soy products. The diet also emphasizes stress management, exercise, and social support.
The Ornish diet has been shown to be effective for improving heart health and overall wellness.
By following one of these top-ranked diets, you can improve your health, reduce your risk for chronic diseases, and feel your best in the new year.