The US News and World Report’s Best Diets list, now in its 10th year, reviews 35 diets on a range of levels using evidence from medical journals, government reports and other resources.
A panel of nationally-recognised experts then rates each diet in a number of categories.
The panel determined the Mediterranean diet to be the best overall diet for the third year in a row.
The features of the “best” diet include balance, maintainability, palatability, family-friendliness, sustainability and healthiness.
The Mediterranean diet ticked all of these boxes, and also ranked first in best diet for healthy eating, easiest diet to follow, best plant-based diet and best diet for diabetes.
The diet includes consumption of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, whole grains, olive oil, fish and low consumption of red and processed meats.
Meanwhile, some popular diets ranked poorly in the list of overall diets.
Diet du jour Keto came in second to last for its strict carb limits, its difficulty to follow, and high levels of saturated fat.
The diet consists of a high-fat, low-carb eating plan that encourages the body to reach ketosis – a metabolic state where your body burns fat as a fuel instead of glucose.
Other low-carb eating plans such as the Paleo diet and the Atkins diet also ranked near the bottom of the list.
The Keto and Atkins diets tied for third place in the ranking of best fast weight loss diets, but health experts warn the aspects of the diets that cause fast weight loss are not sustainable and are not compatible with long-term health.
