U.S. News and World Report Best Diets Badge

Best Commercial Diet Plans

Brand-name diet programs might come to mind when choosing a diet that's the right fit for you. Health experts who rated the diet plans below found wide differences in effectiveness. Among the qualities considered by the panelists were each diet's ability to deliver weight loss, provide good nutrition and safety, and be relatively easy to follow. Topping the Best Commercial Diet Plans ranking list are Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig and the Nutritarian diet.

Read the Best Diets methodology

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  1. Smoked salmon on bed of leafy greens with tomatoesSee Do's and Don'ts

    WW (Weight Watchers) Diet

    #1 in Best Commercial Diet Plans

    WW scored the highest for overall weight loss and fast weight loss, and experts said it's a smart, effective diet. Read More

    Overall Score
    Overall Score
    3.9/5
    Weight Loss
    Weight Loss
    3.6/5
    Healthy
    Healthy
    4.5/5
  2. Blueberry yogurt in a glass close upSee Do's and Don'ts

    Jenny Craig Diet

    #2 in Best Commercial Diet Plans

    Jenny Craig drew praise for being easy to follow, nutritionally complete and safe, but experts were lukewarm about its potential to bolster heart health or help diabetics. Read More

    Overall Score
    Overall Score
    3.5/5
    Weight Loss
    Weight Loss
    3.4/5
    Healthy
    Healthy
    3.9/5
  3. Berry SaladSee Do's and Don'ts

    Nutritarian Diet

    #3 in Best Commercial Diet Plans

    The Nutritarian diet is "fairly sound and safe to follow," according to one expert. But, several said the daily salads and the elimination of certain food groups, caffeine and between-meal snacking make it difficult to follow. Read More

    Overall Score
    Overall Score
    3.3/5
    Weight Loss
    Weight Loss
    3/5
    Healthy
    Healthy
    3.8/5
  5. Steamed green gabbage in colander, wooden spoonSee Do's and Don'ts

    The Engine 2 Diet

    #4 in Best Commercial Diet Plans (tie)

    Though experts liked the heart health and diabetes benefits, they faulted Engine 2 for being unnecessarily restrictive and “gimmicky,” and called for more research into some of its claims. Read More

    Overall Score
    Overall Score
    3.1/5
    Weight Loss
    Weight Loss
    3.2/5
    Healthy
    Healthy
    3.3/5
  6. Spinach mixed with pine nuts, topped with grilled halibutSee Do's and Don'ts

    South Beach Diet

    #4 in Best Commercial Diet Plans (tie)

    Although the South Beach Diet can produce rapid weight loss, its restrictions can make it difficult for dieters to keep the pounds off, experts said. Read More

    Overall Score
    Overall Score
    3.1/5
    Weight Loss
    Weight Loss
    3/5
    Healthy
    Healthy
    3.4/5
  7. Parfaits with yogurt, blueberries, raspberries, cranberry and granola.See Do's and Don'ts

    Nutrisystem Diet

    #6 in Best Commercial Diet Plans (tie)

    Nutrisystem is easier to follow than many other diets and has few nutritional deficiencies, but don't expect it to have a positive effect on diabetes or heart health. Read More

    Overall Score
    Overall Score
    3/5
    Weight Loss
    Weight Loss
    3.1/5
    Healthy
    Healthy
    3.3/5
  9. Eggs scrambled with vegetables and cilantroSee Do's and Don'ts

    Zone Diet

    #6 in Best Commercial Diet Plans (tie)

    It's "unnecessary and tedious to structure every meal around specific macronutrient thresholds" to comply with the Zone diet, one expert said. Another stated there is "no magic with the diet." Read More

    Overall Score
    Overall Score
    3/5
    Weight Loss
    Weight Loss
    2.8/5
    Healthy
    Healthy
    3.6/5
  10. Chocolate smoothie with chia seeds.See Do's and Don'ts

    SlimFast Diet

    #8 in Best Commercial Diet Plans

    SlimFast scored low for healthy eating, diabetes and heart disease However, it did receive high marks for overall weight loss and fast weight loss. Read More

    Overall Score
    Overall Score
    2.9/5
    Weight Loss
    Weight Loss
    3.1/5
    Healthy
    Healthy
    3.1/5
  11. HRM SmoothiesSee Do's and Don'ts

    HMR Program

    #9 in Best Commercial Diet Plans

    The HMR Program scored high for fast weight loss, but some experts weren’t convinced the costly meal-replacement program is necessary. Read More

    Overall Score
    Overall Score
    2.8/5
    Weight Loss
    Weight Loss
    3.1/5
    Healthy
    Healthy
    3/5
  13. Grilled meat skewer with vegetablesSee Do's and Don'ts

    Optavia Diet

    #10 in Best Commercial Diet Plans

    Though you might lose weight quickly with OPTAVIA, the meal plan scored particularly low for healthy eating. Read More

    Overall Score
    Overall Score
    2.6/5
    Weight Loss
    Weight Loss
    3/5
    Healthy
    Healthy
    2.7/5