What's the best "diet" for 2022 as ranked by health and nutrition experts?

jamiepopeauthor
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Early each January U.S. News and World Reports releases its "Best Diets" report ranking 40 popular "diets" and commercial programs in terms of nutritional adequacy, healthfulness, disease prevention, impact on longevity, and sustainability (ability to follow and sustain over time). For the fourth year in a row plant-based diets top the list with the Mediterranean Diet ranked as #1 “Best Diet Overall” followed closely by the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) eating pattern and the Flexitarian diet, both tying for second. Keto, Whole 30, and the Dukan diet all fall at the bottom of the rankings on all the variables considered.....
 
In addition to Best Diet Overall, the Mediterranean diet beat out contenders in other categories, including Best Plant-Based Diets, Best Diabetes Diets, Best Heart-Healthy Diets, Best Diets for Healthy Eating, and Easiest Diets to Follow. You can read more about the "best" diets categories, the diets evaluated and how the rankings were determined.  In a face-to-face class I've written the several dozen different "diets" on slips of paper and had individual students or pairs draw one to read about and share the ranking and a few basics with the class.   
 
Remember, "going on a diet" is rarely advisable - rather focusing on a wide variety of nutrient-dense, primarily plant-based foods while moderating intake of highly processed foods, added sugars, saturated fats, and sodium. Indeed, the highest ranked diets align with these core principles. 
 
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About the Author
Jamie Pope, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Assistant Professor of Practice in Medicine, Health and Society at Vanderbilt University, has worked in the areas of obesity research, health promotion, heart disease prevention, and since 2000 teaching introductory nutrition. Beyond the classroom, she adapted portions of her nutrition courses to produce a Massive Open Online Course attracting more than 175,000 participants from around the world. This experience earned Jamie an Innovation in Teaching award from the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing. She is the co-author of the textbook entitled Nutrition for a Changing World. Now in its second edition, the text is in use in over 140 universities across the U.S. and the recipient of a 2020 Textbook Excellence Award. Most recently she developed and produced an audio course for Learn25.com (Nutrition 101: Understanding the Science and Practice of Eating Well) that is also featured on platforms like Apple Books and Audible. Jamie holds a Master’s of Science degree in Nutrition and post graduate work in Health Psychology. She is a Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She has authored or contributed to numerous scientific and popular press publications. Jamie also held several corporate positions, serving as nutrition consultant and media representative.