Best Diets Rankings for 2019 – U.S. News & World Report

As many Americans resolve to become more invested in their health and wellness in the New Year, U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in rankings and consumer advice, today released its annual assessment of the year’s Best Diets.  In addition to rankings, the Best Diets platform offers extensive data and information on more than 40 diet plans to help the estimated 45 million Americans who diet each year – and millions more globally – achieve healthier lifestyles.

For the second consecutive year, the Mediterranean Diet ranks as the No. 1 Best Diet Overall. The DASH Diet, which previously held the No. 1 spot for 8 consecutive rankings and tied with the Mediterranean Diet in 2018, has been bumped to the No. 2 spot for the first time. The Mediterranean Diet, which research suggests can help improve longevity and ward off chronic diseases, also claims the top spot in multiple other categories: Easiest Diets to Follow, Best Diets for Healthy Eating, Best Diets for Diabetes and Best Diets for Heart Health (tie). The Flexitarian Diet takes the No. 3 spot overall, followed by WW (Weight Watchers) and the MIND Diet tied for fourth.

WW (Weight Watchers) continues to hold onto the No. 1 spot in the Best Weight-Loss Diets and Best Commercial Diets categories. Jenny Craig stays at No. 2 Best Commercial Diet, followed by the Nutritarian Diet at No. 3.

This year, U.S. News expanded its rankings to include a new diet gaining attention from health experts: the Nordic Diet. This plant-based approach, which incorporates aspects of Scandinavian tradition and culture, ranks as the No. 3 Best Plant-Based Diet. The trendy Keto Diet – a low-carb, high-fat regimen – became the No. 2 Best Fast Weight-Loss Diet, up from No. 13 last year.

“Whether you’re trying to lose weight or manage your cholesterol, the 2019 Best Diets rankings provide each person a chance to evaluate what eating plan will work best for them and their particular needs,” said Angela Haupt, Assistant Managing Editor of Health at U.S. News. “By profiling and providing in-depth data on more than 40 diets, as well as sample meals, consumers can rely on U.S. News for the tools they need to feel empowered to make well-informed lifestyle and wellness changes.”

To calculate the rankings, U.S. News convened an expert panel of the country’s top nutritionists, dietary consultants and physicians specializing in diabetes, heart health and weight loss. Through an in-depth survey, each panelist scored the 41 diets in seven areas, including ease of compliance, likelihood of losing significant weight in the short and long term, and effectiveness against cardiovascular disease and diabetes. For further details on how the rankings were calculated, see the methodology. The rankings, together with the advice of a doctor or nutritionist, can help Americans find a healthy lifestyle.

“While the fundamentals of healthy eating remain constant year to year, new research and insights help continuously evolve best practices over time,” said expert panelist Dr. David Katz, director of the Yale University Prevention Research Center, and author of “The Truth about Food”. “The U.S. News Best Diets rankings rely on diverse expertise to respond to what’s new and diverting in nutrition, while highlighting healthy eating principles that are time honored, evidence-based, and reliable.”

Alongside the Best Diets rankings, U.S. News offers editorial content, plus expert analysis tailored to individual diets. Editorial pieces this year explore what it means to follow four popular types of diets: low-calorie, high-protein, low-carb and low-fat.

U.S. News 2019 Best Diets Rankings
Full lists available here.

Best Diets Overall                 
1. Mediterranean Diet                         
2. DASH Diet                           
3. Flexitarian Diet

Best Commercial Diets          
1. WW (Weight Watchers)                   
2. Jenny Craig 
3. Nutritarian Diet

Best Weight-Loss Diets
1. WW (Weight Watchers)
2. Volumetrics
3.  Flexitarian Diet (tie)
3. Jenny Craig (tie)
3. Vegan Diet (tie)

Best Fast Weight-Loss Diets
1. HMR Diet                           
2. Atkins (tie)  
2. Keto Diet (tie)                        
2. OPTAVIA (tie)                                             
2. WW (Weight Watchers) (tie)

Best Diets For Healthy Eating
1. Mediterranean Diet 
2. DASH Diet
3. Flexitarian Diet

Easiest Diets to Follow          
1. Mediterranean Diet
2. Flexitarian Diet (tie)
2. WW (Weight Watchers) (tie)

Best Diets for Diabetes                      
1. Mediterranean Diet             
2. DASH Diet (tie)                  
2. Flexitarian Diet (tie)            
2. Mayo Clinic Diet (tie)                                                                   
2. Volumetrics (tie)

Best Heart-Healthy Diets
1. Mediterranean Diet (tie)      
1. Ornish Diet (tie)      
3. DASH Diet

Best Plant-Based Diets
1. Mediterranean Diet
2. Flexitarian Diet
3. Nordic Diet (tie)
3. Ornish Diet (tie)

To view the full list, visit Best Diets and join the conversation using #BestDiets on Facebook and Twitter.