The number-one resolution for Americans in 2017 was devoted to diets—about 21% of New Year’s resolutions involved losing weight or eating healthy. But the amount of people who will actually accomplish that goal is much lower—only about 8% of New Year’s resolutions are kept, Forbes suggested.
One of the challenges in finding and sticking to a weight-loss plan is navigating the vast number of diets available. U.S. News and World Report identified more than three-dozen popular diets, all promising different outcomes from weight loss, to diabetes prevention, to heart health.
So to make it easier for Americans to choose, 7 years ago, U.S. News created a ranking system called Best Diets, which is updated each year. Last week, the organization released its 2017 rankings.
Before we get into the rankings, it’s important to note a crucial concept at the foundation of what we teach at Integrative Nutrition – bio-individuality. Bio-individuality means that there is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to our bodies and the foods we eat. In fact, one person’s food could be another person’s poison, so it’s important to consider your individual needs, goals and how food makes you feel, when it comes to picking a diet that works best for you. That’s why we teach the pros and cons of 100 different dietary theories in our curriculum.
Now, in terms of the 2017 Best Diets, like in the previous six years, the DASH Diet took the top spot for best overall diets. It also led the pack in best diabetes diets, best diets for healthy eating, and best heart-healthy diets. This meal plan, an acronym for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, was developed with the help of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, and it focuses on reducing sodium intake as well as eating a balanced diet of lean proteins, vegetables and fruits, and grains.
Weight Watchers earned a nod for best weight-loss diet and the second spot in best commercial diets (the Mayo Clinic diet was number one in that category). The Mediterranean diet, which focuses on healthy fats and anti-inflammatory foods, was named the best plant-based diet (followed by the flexitarian and vegetarian diets, respectively) and was in the number-two spot for best overall diets, best diets for healthy eating, easiest diets to follow, and best diets for diabetes.
You can read the full list, and get information on each of the diets, here.
Which of these diets have you tried or suggested to your clients and how have they worked out? Let us know in the comments below!
