9 Best And Effective Diets, As Per Experts

Achieve your health goals while boosting your overall metabolism.

Reviewed by Ritika Dass, MSc (Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics) Ritika Dass Ritika DassMSc (Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics) facebook_iconlinkedin_icon
Written by , MSc (Biotechnology), ISSA Certified Fitness Nutritionist Charushila Biswas MSc (Biotechnology), ISSA Certified Fitness Nutritionist linkedin_icon Experience: 6 years
Edited by , BSc, Professional Certificate in Food, Nutrition and Health Ravi Teja Tadimalla BSc, Professional Certificate in Food, Nutrition and Health linkedin_icon Experience: 10 years
Fact-checked by , BSc (Life Sciences), Certified Health & Nutrition Life Coach Himanshi Mahajan BSc (Life Sciences), Certified Health & Nutrition Life Coach linkedin_icon Experience: 2 years
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The best and effective diets help you lose weight without compromising your health. Also, these diets are easy to adhere to and do not make you feel hungry all the time. So, you can sustain the diet without falling back into your old habits. Such diets are good for weight loss and improving your health. You must consume a balanced diet to curb hunger and stay happy while achieving your weight loss goals (1), (2).

Thankfully, such diets exist. They can control hunger, improve your overall health, and keep the tastebuds alive and happy. This post lists the 8 best diets recommended by dietitians and nutritionists. Scroll down to get the list, learn how they work, and find out which one will work for you. Swipe up!

9 Best Diets Ranked, According To Experts

1. Mediterranean Diet – Best Diet Overall

From aiding weight loss to reducing the risk of chronic diseases, the Mediterranean diet does it all! It is a balanced dietary pattern that includes fatty fish, vegetables, fruits, nuts, olive oil, and whole grains. Michelle Dudash, an award-winning registered dietitian nutritionist, says, “The Mediterranean diet holds the top rank for being easy to follow and delivering proven results for improved heart health and blood sugar management, decreased risk of cancer, and increased longevity (3).”

Rima Kleiner, MS, RD, explains, “The Mediterranean-style diet is rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans and heart-healthy fats like nuts and seeds, seafood, olives, and olive oil. Compared to those who eat a Western-style diet, those on a Mediterranean diet consume far more vegetables, whole grains, and seafood.” Researchers found that adults who consistently followed a Mediterranean-style diet were found to have higher levels of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and bacterial diversity in the gut. This helps improve gut health and control inflammation, cognition, mood, and even anxiety and depression (4), (5).

2. Flexitarian Diet – Best For Weight Loss

Foods that help increase satiety, reduce calorie intake, and keep tastebuds happy are crucial for weight loss. The Flexitarian diet checks all these boxes. It is basically a plant-based diet with occasional consumption of fish, meat, low-fat dairy, and animal products. Diana Gariglio-Clelland, RD, says, “For a flexitarian-style diet that is primarily plant-based but also includes some meat and dairy, there is a low risk for nutrient deficiencies.”

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The Flexitarian Diet aligns with the “Meatless Monday” movement that encourages people to go meatless at least one day a week for health and environmental reasons.

The Flexitarian diet is good for weight loss because it limits the intake of animal products, which may contain hormones and antibiotics unless they are farm-raised or wild-caught (6), (7). Following a flexitarian diet also reduces calorie intake. The dietary fiber aids in digestion and helps reduce the risk of obesity, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and hypertension (8).

3. Plant-Based Diet – Best Diet For Diabetes

Diabetes occurs when blood sugar levels shoot up. The body is unable to either make insulin (type 1) and/or use insulin (type 2) (9). Sometimes, moms-to-be may also be diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, and prediabetes can potentially be reversed through dietary changes. And the best diet to follow is a plant-based diet. Dr. Katie Takayasu, MD, says, “In my view, a healthy plant-forward diet would emphasize vegetables, fruit, healthy plant fats like olive oil, nuts, and seeds, whole grains, yogurt, buttermilk, and plant-based sources of proteins like beans, lentils, whole organic soy, and fermented foods.”

New York-based RD Jenn LaVardera says, “Plant-based diets have been linked with health benefits, including reduced risk of type 2 diabetes (10). Plant foods are nutrient-dense and provide health-promoting nutrients, including fiber and phytochemicals (compounds in plants with antioxidant properties) that you don’t get in animal foods.” Dr. Lynn K Wagner, MD, advises taking vitamin B12, C, D, iron, calcium, magnesium, and zinc supplements to reduce the risk of nutritional deficiencies.

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Plant-based diets have also been generally associated with lower greenhouse gas emissions and reduced land and water usage compared to diets rich in animal products.

4. DASH Diet – Best For Heart Health

Excessive sodium intake through salt or salty foods can increase the risk o

f hypertension and heart disease. To reduce the intake of salt and improve heart health, doctors and researchers formulated the DASH (Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension) diet (11). Brenda Peralta, RD, says, “The DASH diet is a commonly known diet used to handle patients with high blood pressure. It has a list of foods to avoid and add to your diet. It emphasizes eating less processed foods, more natural foods (fruits, veggies, grains, and nuts), and limiting sodium consumption (1500-2300 mg per day).”

Dr. Kristina Hendija, MD, says, “The diet restricts sodium, sugars, and saturated fats, which are all bad for hypertension, to begin with. Avoiding these can help decrease the LDL (bad cholesterol) levels in the body. The meal plans can be flexible and easily found in grocery stores. It doesn’t focus on a single food group and is a balanced diet.”

5. Anti-Inflammatory Diet – Best For Reduced Disease

Chronic inflammation is the major cause of various diseases and conditions. Allergies, asthma, obesity, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and even depression are linked to chronic inflammation. An anti-inflammatory diet, rich in omega-3, helps reduce inflammation and the risk of diseases (12), (13), (14), (15).

Dr. Liia Ramchandra, Pharm.D., Ph.D., recommends consuming celery, bone broth, wild salmon, broccoli, ginger, blueberries, walnuts, pineapple, bok choy, and dark chocolate. Heather Hanks, a nutritionist specializing in autoimmunity and chronic disease management, says, “Typically, an anti-inflammatory diet includes lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, organic meat, pasture-raised eggs, and healthy fats, such as olive, avocado, and coconut oils. It’s free from all processed foods, refined sugars, candy, soda, gluten, dairy, soy, and conventionally-raised animal products.”

She adds, “Grains, beans, and legumes tend to be a bit of a gray area. These foods contain a hard-to-digest, inflammatory compound called phytic acid that binds to the wall of the digestive tract, induces inflammation, and prevents the absorption of certain nutrients. For this reason, many people do not consider grains and legumes as suitable foods for an anti-inflammatory diet. However, you can make these foods less inflammatory by soaking them in water overnight before cooking them.”

6. MIND Diet – Best For Brain Health

The MIND diet is a nutritional strategy that delays and prevents neurodegeneration. It is a combination of the Mediterranean and DASH diets. Prof. Morris and colleagues at the Rush University Medical Center, the creators of this diet, found that it might lower the risk of Alzheimer’s (16), (17).

Jeanette Kimszal, RDN, NLC, says, “The MIND diet recommends an increase in berries and leafy green vegetables. It also recommends limiting animal products and foods high in saturated fat.” She adds, “The MIND diet also recommends consuming at least 3 servings of whole grains, a salad, one other vegetable, and a glass of wine each day. Nuts and beans are alternated as snacks. Poultry and berries should be consumed twice a week and fish at least once a week.”

A study states that the MIND diet provides antioxidants like folate, omega fatty acids, vitamin E, carotenoids, and flavonoids. This helps improve memory and learning and slow cognitive decline (18).

7. Vegan Diet – Best Diet For Body & Mind Balance

A vegan diet is a lifestyle followed by avoiding all animal products including dairy and honey. A study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition confirms that people on a vegan diet have lower cholesterol levels, a healthy weight, and a reduced risk of high blood pressure and heart disease (19). According to Jeanette Kimszal, RDN, NLC, “Vegan diets can be beneficial for the mind and the body as they contain vegetables. With good vegetable consumption comes better nutrient intake.”

Vegan diets may improve gut health, which is essential for a healthy body and mind. More research is needed to know the connection between brain health and plant-based diets (20). Also, Jeanette Kimszal warns, “Some downsides to vegan diets: they can lack certain nutrients that are only found in animal foods and depending on what you eat, they could not be that healthy.” She advises taking vitamin B12, omega-3, and calcium supplements after consulting a licensed doctor. She also recommends avoiding unhealthy vegan foods loaded with preservatives, sugar, and additives.

A study included 516 participants with a mean age of 28.0 years who had been following a vegan diet for a median of 2.6 years. Their primary reasons for adopting a vegan diet were animal welfare (91%), environmental protection (73%), and health aspects (60%).

8. High-Protein Diet – Best For Building Lean Muscle

Proteins are the building block of muscles. Whether you want to gain weight or muscle or shed weight, a high-protein diet can help you. Research shows that a high-protein diet increases metabolism and prevents fat storage, facilitating weight loss (21). A high-protein diet is also beneficial for athletes and those who workout regularly to preserve lean muscle. It also aids in faster muscle recovery (22).

Jeanette Kimszal, RDN, NLC, recommends consuming protein from plant and animal sources. She says, “Animal proteins include meat, eggs, poultry, and dairy products. Plant-based protein foods include tempeh and other soy-based proteins, grains like farro, quinoa, and teff, nuts, seeds, and vegetables also contain some proteins.”

However, she cautions that a high intake of branched-chain amino acids can lead to metabolic disease. She says, “This usually occurs when there is a high fat intake along with protein. Animal protein foods may also be high in fat, so looking to plant-based proteins is a good way to keep protein high and fat low.” A high-protein diet that is not balanced with enough vegetables and whole grains also poses risks of kidney disease (23).

9. Low-Carb Diet – Best For Managing Insulin Levels

A low-carb diet focuses on reducing carbohydrate intake, emphasizing protein and healthy fats. By limiting carbs, the body shifts to burning stored fat for energy, aiding weight loss. Studies suggest that low-carb diets effectively promote weight loss and reduce appetite primarily by regulating insulin levels (24). Furthermore, cutting carbs can lead to decreased water weight and bloating, providing an initial rapid weight loss. This dietary approach proves advantageous for individuals aiming to manage blood sugar levels, making it beneficial for those with diabetes or insulin resistance (25). Overall, a low-carb diet can serve as a viable strategy for weight management and metabolic health, but individual adjustments and considerations are required for optimal results.

On another note, Lindsey, a blogger, shares her experience with following a military diet, a popular weight-loss regimen. She details the daily food plan and discusses the challenges she faced, including the difficulty of sticking to the diet and the limited snack options. She mentions, “I am happy with the results though and I hope that the weight I lost stays off now that I am back to eating my everyday diet (i).”

These are the 9 best diets that you can choose from. But the real question is, how to know which diet is the best for you? Scroll down to make the right decision.

What Is The Best Diet For You?

You first have to know what your goal is, your food habits, and your medical condition. For example, if you want to lose weight, you may choose either a Mediterranean diet or a Flexitarian diet. Opt for an anti-inflammatory diet to address inflammatory diseases like skin disorders, IBS/IBD, rheumatoid arthritis, obesity, etc. Similarly, vegetarians or vegans can go for a plant-based diet. Go for the MIND diet for improving memory and cognition. The DASH diet is ideal to control hypertension. A high-protein diet is a good bet to gain lean muscle mass and lose weight.

Now you know which diet is good overall and which one is best for you. But do you know which diet is not good and should be avoided? Scroll down to make the right decision.

What Is The Worst Diet?

Diets that do not have a balanced approach are considered unhealthy. A crash diet or liquid diet for weight loss is a strict no-no. Liquid diets are only prescribed by doctors and dietitians for people who will or have undergone surgery or are unable to chew and digest the food on their own. Keto is good for people with epilepsy and cancer, but it should not be used for weight loss. It was not created for weight loss, and its long-term effects are not well studied. Avoid a high-carb, high-sugar, and high-salt diet. Living on burgers, pizza, frozen foods, refined flour, white sugar, and trans fats not only causes weight gain but also increases the risk of diabetes and heart disease.

When it comes to the best and most effective diets, nothing can beat the Mediterranean diet. It is one of the most balanced diets that are good for your overall health. The remaining seven diets listed above are also balanced and effective, but they are designed to target specific health issues and purposes. For example, the DASH diet is aimed at reducing hypertension, while the anti-inflammatory diet helps reduce inflammation in the body. Choose any of these diets depending on your goal, medical condition, and food habits. It is better to consult a registered dietitian to zero in on the best diet for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is keto or WW better?

While both fad diets are trending, weight watchers (WW) is considered a better weight loss diet than keto.

What is the 7 Day Challenge diet?

This challenge focuses on having heavy breakfasts, moderate-sized meals for lunch, and light meals or soups for dinner. While it may help you lose about 10-17 lbs of weight in a week, it may not be healthy and sustainable in the long term.

What diet works the fastest?

It depends on your BMI, fitness levels, health conditions, and personal weight loss goals.

What is the military diet for weight loss?

The military diet is a detailed 3-day weight loss meal plan that claims to help you lose up to 10 lbs in a week.

Find out new and interesting facts about the DASH diet from this video below. Learn about its benefits, principles, and how to adopt this approach for a healthier lifestyle. Click play to understand why doctors love this diet.

Key Takeaways

  • Certain diets, according to experts, are very effective depending on your goal.
  • The most effective overall diet is the Mediterranean plan, as it addresses health problems and boosts weight loss.
  • The best way to choose a diet plan is to fix a goal and consider your food habits and medical conditions.
  • Diets with unbalanced eating habits, like high-carb, high sugar, and high-salt, are unhealthy.

Personal Experience: Source

References

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  1. Defining a Healthy Diet: Evidence for the Role of Contemporary Dietary Patterns in Health and Disease
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7071223/
  2. Higher Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet is Related to More Subjective Happiness in Adolescents: The Role of Health-Related Quality of Life
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  3. Health Benefits of Mediterranean Diet
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6723598/
  4. Shifts on Gut Microbiota Associated to Mediterranean Diet Adherence and Specific Dietary Intakes on General Adult Population
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5949328/
  5. Gut microbiota’s effect on mental health: The gut-brain axis
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5641835/
  6. Risk Assessment of Growth Hormones and Antimicrobial Residues in Meat
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3834504/
  7. Use of antibiotics as feed additives: a burning question
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  8. Health benefits of dietary fiber
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  9. What is Diabetes?
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  10. A plant-based diet for the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5466941/
  11. DASH Diet To Stop Hypertension
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482514/
  12. Anti-inflammatory Diets
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26400429/
  13. A randomized controlled cross-over trial investigating the effect of anti-inflammatory diet on disease activity and quality of life in rheumatoid arthritis: the Anti-inflammatory Diet In Rheumatoid Arthritis (ADIRA) study protocol
    https://nutritionj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12937-018-0354-x
  14. Association between dietary inflammatory index (DII) and risk of irritable bowel syndrome: a case-control study
    https://nutritionj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12937-021-00721-5
  15. An anti-inflammatory diet as a potential intervention for depressive disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30502975/
  16. The MIND Diet Intervention to Prevent Alzheimer\’s Disease
    http://mind-diet-trial.org/meet-the-researchers/
  17. MIND diet associated with reduced incidence of Alzheimer\’s disease
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25681666/
  18. MIND diet slows cognitive decline with aging
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4581900/
  19. Health effects of vegan diets
    https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/89/5/1627S/4596952
  20. The effects of plant-based diets on the body and the brain: a systematic review
    https://www.nature.com/articles/s41398-019-0552-0#Sec13
  21. Clinical Evidence and Mechanisms of High-Protein Diet-Induced Weight Loss
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32699189/
  22. Recent Perspectives Regarding the Role of Dietary Protein for the Promotion of Muscle Hypertrophy with Resistance Exercise Training
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5852756/
  23. The Effects of High-Protein Diets on Kidney Health and Longevity
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32669325/
  24. Effect of low carbohydrate diets on insulin resistance and the metabolic syndrome https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8500369/
  25. Low Carbohydrate Dietary Approaches for People With Type 2 Diabetes—A Narrative Review https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8319397/
Ritika Dass
Ritika DassPGDDPHN
Ritika Dass is a senior clinical nutritionist with more than 8 years of experience in analyzing the nutritional needs of individuals at various stages of life. She customizes therapeutic diet plans according to the age, gender, and clinical condition of her clients.

Read full bio of Ritika Dass
Charushila Biswas
Charushila BiswasHealth & Wellness Writer
Charushila is an ISSA certified Fitness Nutritionist and a Physical Exercise Therapist. Over a span of 6 years, she has authored more than 400 articles on diet, lifestyle, exercises, healthy food, and fitness equipment. She strives to inform, educate, and motivate her readers via authentic, straightforward, and fact-checked information.

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Ravi Teja Tadimalla
Ravi Teja TadimallaCo-Editor-in-Chief
Ravi Teja Tadimalla is a Co-Editor-in-Chief and a published author. He has been in the digital media field for over a decade. He graduated from SRM University, Chennai, and has a Professional Certificate in Food, Nutrition & Research from Wageningen University.

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Himanshi Mahajan
Himanshi MahajanHealth & Wellness Writer
Himanshi Mahajan is a Certified Health & Nutrition Life Coach. She has a bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences from Guru Nanak Dev University and two years of experience in writing SEO-based and research-backed content across health and lifestyle genres.

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