Best Weight-Loss Diets
The best diet for losing weight is Weight Watchers, according to the experts who rated the diets below for U.S. News. Biggest Loser, Jenny Craig, and the raw food diet came in close behind. Other diets performed as well or better in enabling fast weight loss, but long-term weight loss is more important for your health.
Eco-Atkins
Eco-Atkins recipes | Eco-Atkins reviews
Experts regarded Eco-Atkins as much more effective for short-term than for long-term weight loss. It “may be difficult to consistently adhere to,” one expert said, because it is largely a “do-it-yourself diet.”
Engine 2 Diet
Engine 2 Diet recipes | Engine 2 Diet reviews
The Engine 2 diet pulled in a slightly above-average 3.1 stars. It’s not designed as a weight-loss plan, but followers may shed pounds by filling up on nutrient-rich plant foods and cutting out animal fats, added sugars, and oils. Still, “I would not recommend it as a way to lose weight,” one expert said.
Mayo Clinic Diet
Mayo Clinic Diet recipes | Mayo Clinic Diet reviews
While evidence is lacking that the diet works, the experts’ ratings reflect their view that if followed, the Mayo diet can deliver at least modest weight loss, both short- and long-term.
Mediterranean Diet
Mediterranean Diet recipes | Mediterranean Diet reviews
As a weight-loss plan, the Mediterranean diet didn’t overwhelm the experts, but it’s not built to be one. It is up to the individual to keep watch over the scale.
Ornish Diet
Ornish Diet recipes | Ornish Diet reviews
Experts deemed the Ornish plan to be OK, but not great, for people searching specifically for a weight-loss diet. Its greatest strengths lie elsewhere, especially in heart health.
South Beach Diet
South Beach Diet recipes | South Beach Diet reviews
South Beach helps dieters drop pounds—fast. But our experts felt it’s less likely that they’ll actually keep the weight off long-term. We found little research indicating that the diet is sustainable or that it helps dieters maintain weight loss over the long haul.
TLC Diet
TLC Diet recipes | TLC Diet reviews
The Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) diet isn’t designed for weight loss. But if sensibly followed, it can produce it, experts said, because it’s a fundamentally sound approach to eating. One plus: no extreme measures such as shunning carbs or meat.
Vegetarian Diet
Vegetarian Diet recipes | Vegetarian Diet reviews
For weight loss, in the experts’ opinion, the vegetarian diet is slower off the mark than most alternatives at quick weight loss. Given time, however, it gains back ground, beating out about half the field on long-term weight loss. Although vegetarianism isn’t designed to be a weight-loss plan, building in a calorie restriction and filling the menu with healthful foods could help dieters shed some pounds.
Macrobiotic Diet
Macrobiotic Diet recipes | Macrobiotic Diet reviews
Experts weren’t impressed with the macrobiotic diet’s ability to deliver weight loss. Its below-average rating landed it in the bottom third of the list. Experts pointed to a lack of robust clinical studies examining its weight-loss potential. They liked its ban on processed food and emphasis on healthful choices like whole grains, veggies, and bean products, however.
Traditional Asian Diet
Traditional Asian Diet recipes | Traditional Asian Diet reviews
The Asian diet leaves something to be desired. Experts doled out lackluster scores in short-term, long-term, and overall weight loss. Indeed, the eating pattern is touted as a way to enhance overall healthfulness, not necessarily as a means to drop pounds. “Consider that genetic factors may also explain why people in Asian countries tend to weigh less than their Western counterparts,” one expert said.
