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The DASH Diet plan was developed by the National Institutes of Health
Also topping the list are the TLC Diet, Mayo Clinic Diet and Mediterranean diet
Rankings are based on safety, effective weight loss, heart health, diabetes prevention
For the fourth year in a row, the DASH Diet Eating Plan was named the best overall diet. DASH, or Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, was developed by the National Institutes of Health for people with high blood pressure. But it is also effective in lowering cholesterol and reducing a person’s risk for heart disease, stroke, kidney stones and diabetes, its website states.
Each year, the publication asks experts to rank more than 25 diet plans to help consumers make informed decisions about nutrition.
“To be top-rated, a diet had to be relatively easy to follow, nutritious, safe and effective for weight loss and against diabetes and heart disease,” according to U.S. News & World Report.
DASH, or Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, was developed by the National Institutes of Health for people with high blood pressure. But it is also effective in lowering cholesterol and reducing your risk for heart disease, stroke, kidney stones and diabetes, its website states.
Unlike many diet plans, DASH doesn’t cut out or extremely restrict certain foods. Its focus is on limiting daily sodium intake. The meal plan includes three whole-grain products each day, four to six servings of vegetables, four to six servings of fruit, two to four servings of dairy products and several servings each of lean meats and nuts/seeds/legumes.
The diet’s only downfalls, the expert panel said, are that it takes some “grunt work” to adhere to, and that it may cost more than a diet based on “processed, fatty, sugary foods.”
Following DASH on the best overall list was the Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes Diet, which also was created by the National Institutes of Health. Next in line were the Mayo Clinic Diet, the Mediterranean Diet and Weight Watchers – all tied for third place. This is the same as last year’s ranking.
U.S. News & World Report also published several other lists, including best weight-loss diets, best diabetes diets, best commercial diet plans and easiest diets to follow.
Weight Watchers topped the best weight-loss, best commercial diet plan and easiest to follow lists. Also high on several lists were the Jenny Craig plan and “The Biggest Loser” plan.
For more, visit U.S. News & World Report’s Best Diets Rankings.