Best Plant-Based Diets

Plant-based diets are good for the environment, your heart, your weight and your overall health. U.S. News defines plant-based as an approach that emphasizes minimally processed foods from plants, with modest amounts of fish, lean meat and low-fat dairy, and red meat only sparingly. The experts rated the diets below, and the Mediterranean diet came out on top of the list. Among the qualities considered were each diet's ability to deliver weight loss, provide good nutrition and safety, and be relatively easy to follow.

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Mediterranean Diet

#1 in Best Plant-Based Diets

With its emphasis on fruits, vegetables, olive oil, fish and other healthy fare, the Mediterranean diet is eminently sensible. more

With its emphasis on fruits, vegetables, olive oil, fish and other healthy fare, the Mediterranean diet is eminently sensible. more

4.2/5
Overall Score
3.0/5
Weight Loss
4.9/5
Healthy
4.2/5
Overall Score
3.0/5
Weight Loss
4.9/5
Healthy

The Flexitarian Diet

#2 in Best Plant-Based Diets

The Flexitarian Diet, which emphasizes fruits, veggies, whole grains and plant-based protein, is a smart and healthy choice. One panelist noted that this diet is “a nice approach that could work for the whole family.” more

The Flexitarian Diet, which emphasizes fruits, veggies, whole grains and plant-based protein, is a smart and healthy choice. One panelist noted that this diet is “a nice approach that could work for the whole family.” more

4.0/5
Overall Score
3.4/5
Weight Loss
4.7/5
Healthy
4.0/5
Overall Score
3.4/5
Weight Loss
4.7/5
Healthy

Nordic Diet

#3 in Best Plant-Based Diets (tie)

The Nordic Diet is based on 10 principles of healthy eating, including eating more fruits and vegetables, more whole grains, and more food from the seas and lakes. more

The Nordic Diet is based on 10 principles of healthy eating, including eating more fruits and vegetables, more whole grains, and more food from the seas and lakes. more

3.6/5
Overall Score
2.8/5
Weight Loss
4.5/5
Healthy
3.6/5
Overall Score
2.8/5
Weight Loss
4.5/5
Healthy

Ornish Diet

#3 in Best Plant-Based Diets (tie)

The Ornish diet is nutritionally sound, safe and heart-healthy, but it's not easy to adhere to the severe fat restriction the diet demands. more

The Ornish diet is nutritionally sound, safe and heart-healthy, but it's not easy to adhere to the severe fat restriction the diet demands. more

3.6/5
Overall Score
3.3/5
Weight Loss
4.2/5
Healthy
3.6/5
Overall Score
3.3/5
Weight Loss
4.2/5
Healthy

Vegetarian Diet

#5 in Best Plant-Based Diets

Vegetarianism is strong in heart health and nutritional completeness, and is a complete, healthy diet overall. more

Vegetarianism is strong in heart health and nutritional completeness, and is a complete, healthy diet overall. more

3.5/5
Overall Score
3.1/5
Weight Loss
4.1/5
Healthy
3.5/5
Overall Score
3.1/5
Weight Loss
4.1/5
Healthy

Asian Diet

#6 in Best Plant-Based Diets

The traditional Asian diet is a reasonable choice for an eating pattern. Experts liked its nutrition and safety, but doubted the plan's ability to deliver weight loss. more

The traditional Asian diet is a reasonable choice for an eating pattern. Experts liked its nutrition and safety, but doubted the plan's ability to deliver weight loss. more

3.4/5
Overall Score
2.9/5
Weight Loss
4.3/5
Healthy
3.4/5
Overall Score
2.9/5
Weight Loss
4.3/5
Healthy

This diet is nutritionally sound, and most Americans “would benefit from adopting many of these principles, especially increasing fruits and vegetables,” one expert said. more

This diet is nutritionally sound, and most Americans “would benefit from adopting many of these principles, especially increasing fruits and vegetables,” one expert said. more

3.3/5
Overall Score
2.5/5
Weight Loss
3.9/5
Healthy
3.3/5
Overall Score
2.5/5
Weight Loss
3.9/5
Healthy

Nutritarian Diet

#7 in Best Plant-Based Diets (tie)

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. more

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. more

3.3/5
Overall Score
3.0/5
Weight Loss
3.8/5
Healthy
3.3/5
Overall Score
3.0/5
Weight Loss
3.8/5
Healthy

The Engine 2 Diet

#9 in Best Plant-Based Diets

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. more

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. more

3.2/5
Overall Score
3.3/5
Weight Loss
3.4/5
Healthy
3.2/5
Overall Score
3.3/5
Weight Loss
3.4/5
Healthy

Eco-Atkins Diet

#10 in Best Plant-Based Diets (tie)

Eco-Atkins is a “healthier version of the Atkins diet, but compliance is likely to be more difficult,” one expert said. It’s restrictive and little guidance is available. more

Eco-Atkins is a “healthier version of the Atkins diet, but compliance is likely to be more difficult,” one expert said. It’s restrictive and little guidance is available. more

3.1/5
Overall Score
3.0/5
Weight Loss
3.4/5
Healthy
3.1/5
Overall Score
3.0/5
Weight Loss
3.4/5
Healthy