Why not increase your nutritional value this year? mediterranean diet It has topped U.S. News & World Report’s annual diet list for eight consecutive years.
The outlet’s 2025 “Best Overall Diets” list, released Friday, was evaluated by a panel of medical and nutritional experts who evaluated 38 different meal plans.
“Our panelists evaluated each meal plan for nutritional completeness, health risks and benefits, long-term sustainability, and evidence-based effectiveness,” the website states. Masu.
The Mediterranean Diet received the highest rating with a score of 4.8 out of 5 stars. The heart-healthy DASH diet was next with a score of 4.6, followed by the flexitarian or semi-vegetarian diet with a score of 4.5.
Here’s what you need to know about each option to find what’s best for you.
What is the Mediterranean diet?
of mediterranean diet It has long been considered a heart-healthy option, with numerous studies showing it may reduce the risk of certain chronic health conditions and promote longevity.
Meals are based on traditional cuisine of the region; Highlight fresh fruits and vegetablesfish, legumes, nuts and whole grains.
U.S. News & World Report says it’s “one of the easiest diets to follow” because it’s not very restrictive. Instead, it offers “general guidelines that are a sustainable approach to eating that is versatile enough to adapt to any cuisine or lifestyle.”
However, according to the paper, one of the “don’ts” of the Mediterranean diet is eating too much sweets, processed foods and red meat.
What is the DASH diet?
of dash diet It stands for “Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension” and is recommended for those who want to prevent or stop high blood pressure.
This diet, promoted by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, focuses on increasing fiber and heart-healthy minerals (like calcium, potassium, and magnesium) while decreasing sodium and unhealthy fats.
“The DASH diet emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy products. This eating pattern emphasizes foods with added sugars, fatty meats, and full-fat dairy products. Importantly, the DASH diet limits sodium intake to 2,300 milligrams a day, and followers often reduce it to about 1,500 milligrams.” the report points out.
What is a flexitarian diet?
The flexitarian diet is a combination of “flexible” and “.”vegetarian”, I give myself some leeway in what I eat, but I focus on plant foods and proteins like tofu, beans, and lentils.
“A flexitarian diet allows you to gain the health benefits associated with vegetarianism without giving up meat completely. Instead, you can choose to eat meat-free most of the time, but only on special occasions. You can enjoy hamburgers and steaks,” the report states.
According to the report, this diet avoids excess animal products, processed foods, and foods high in saturated fat, sugar, and sodium, even if labeled as “plant-based.”
