Best and worst diets of 2013
Diets are a huge focus in the first part of any new year. Take a look at the best and worst diets of 2013.
U.S. News evaluated and ranked several diets with input from a panel of health experts. The criteria followed includes how easy the diet is to follow, how nutritious, safe, and effective for weight loss the diet is and how it fares in the fight against diabetes and heart disease.
U.S. News evaluated and ranked several diets with input from a panel of health experts. The criteria followed includes how easy the diet is to follow, how nutritious, safe, and effective for weight loss the diet is and how it fares in the fight against diabetes and heart disease.
Take a look at the best and worst diets for 2013.
1. DASH Diet
DASH was developed to fight high blood pressure, not as an all-purpose diet. It gets high marks for its nutritional completeness, safety, ability to prevent or control diabetes, and role in supporting heart health. Though obscure, it beat out a field full of better-known diets.
2. TLC Diet
Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes, or TLC is a very solid diet plan created by the National Institutes of Health. It has no major weaknesses, and it’s particularly good at promoting cardiovascular health all while requiring a “do-it-yourself” approach.
3 (tie). Mayo Clinic Diet
This is the Mayo's take on how to make healthy eating a lifelong habit. It earned especially high ratings from our experts for its nutrition and safety and as a tool against diabetes. Experts found it moderately effective for weight loss.
3 (tie). Mediterranean Diet
With its emphasis on fruits and vegetables, olive oil, fish, and other healthy fare, the Mediterranean diet is eminently sensible. And experts’ assessments of it were resoundingly positive, giving this diet an edge over many competitors.
3 (tie). Weight Watchers Diet
Weight Watchers is a smart, effective diet. It surpassed other commercial diet plans in multiple areas, including short- and long-term weight loss and how easy it is to follow. Among its pluses: An emphasis on group support, lots of fruits and vegetables, and room for occasional indulgences.
6 (tie). Flexitarian Diet
The Flexitarian diet, which emphasizes fruits, veggies, whole grains, and plant-based protein, is a smart and healthy choice. It outperformed many of its competitors, with particularly high scores in nutritional completeness, easiness to follow, and long-term weight loss.
6 (tie). Volumetrics Diet
Volumetrics outperformed its competitors in many categories. It earned particularly high marks for being safe and nutritious, and experts said it could have a positive effect on heart health and diabetes. "This is an eating plan that everyone can benefit from," one expert said.
8. Jenny Craig
Jenny Craig drew praise from experts for being easy to follow, nutritionally complete and safe, and for offering dieters emotional support. But these experts also noted that Jenny Craig’s cost could be a roadblock for some.
9 (tie). Biggest Loser Diet
The Biggest Loser Diet received high marks for short-term weight loss, safety, and soundness as a regimen for diabetes, and it was rated moderately effective for heart health. But many panelists felt that in a sea of diets, it’s not overly special, and one said it’s merely “capitalizing on the name” of the popular TV show.
9 (tie). Ornish Diet
The Ornish Diet got a mixed reaction from experts. On one hand, it’s nutritionally sound, safe, and tremendously heart-healthy. On the other, it’s not easy for dieters to adhere to the severe fat restriction the diet demands.
To get the full list of the Best Diets of 2013, visit: www.usnews.com.
