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

[jamiepopeauthor]

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.