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. Volumetrics came in second, and Jenny Craig and the vegan diet were third on this overall weight loss ranking list, which takes into account short-term and long-term weight loss scores. Some other diets performed as well or better in our rankings for enabling fast weight loss, but long-term weight loss is more important for your health.

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Weight Watchers Diet

#1 in Best Weight-Loss Diets

Weight Watchers scored the highest for overall weight loss and fast weight loss, and experts said it's a smart, effective diet. more

Weight Watchers scored the highest for overall weight loss and fast weight loss, and experts said it's a smart, effective diet. more

3.9/5
Overall Score
3.7/5
Weight Loss
4.5/5
Healthy
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Volumetrics Diet

#2 in Best Weight-Loss Diets

Volumetrics earned high marks for being safe and nutritious, and experts said it could have a positive effect on heart health and diabetes. more

Volumetrics earned high marks for being safe and nutritious, and experts said it could have a positive effect on heart health and diabetes. more

3.8/5
Overall Score
3.5/5
Weight Loss
4.5/5
Healthy
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Jenny Craig Diet

#3 in Best Weight-Loss Diets (tie)

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. more

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. more

3.4/5
Overall Score
3.4/5
Weight Loss
3.8/5
Healthy
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Vegan Diet

#3 in Best Weight-Loss Diets (tie)

Overall, veganism is good for diabetes and heart disease, but it's extremely restrictive, doesn’t offer built-in social support and may not provide enough of some nutrients. more

Overall, veganism is good for diabetes and heart disease, but it's extremely restrictive, doesn’t offer built-in social support and may not provide enough of some nutrients. more

3.0/5
Overall Score
3.4/5
Weight Loss
3.0/5
Healthy
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The Flexitarian Diet

#5 in Best Weight-Loss 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
3.3/5
Weight Loss
4.6/5
Healthy
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DASH Diet

#6 in Best Weight-Loss Diets (tie)

DASH fights high blood pressure and was praised for its nutritional completeness, safety, ability to prevent or control diabetes, and role in supporting heart health. more

DASH fights high blood pressure and was praised for its nutritional completeness, safety, ability to prevent or control diabetes, and role in supporting heart health. more

4.1/5
Overall Score
3.2/5
Weight Loss
4.8/5
Healthy
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The Engine 2 Diet

#6 in Best Weight-Loss Diets (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. 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

3.1/5
Overall Score
3.2/5
Weight Loss
3.4/5
Healthy
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Ornish Diet

#6 in Best Weight-Loss 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
3.2/5
Weight Loss
4.2/5
Healthy
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Raw Food Diet

#6 in Best Weight-Loss Diets (tie)

The raw food diet is considered all but impossible to follow, and its nutritional completeness and safety were concerns among the experts. “Doing it well involves considerable commitment and effort, knowledge and sacrifice,” one expert said. more

The raw food diet is considered all but impossible to follow, and its nutritional completeness and safety were concerns among the experts. “Doing it well involves considerable commitment and effort, knowledge and sacrifice,” one expert said. more

2.3/5
Overall Score
3.2/5
Weight Loss
2.1/5
Healthy
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SlimFast Diet

#6 in Best Weight-Loss Diets (tie)

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

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

2.8/5
Overall Score
3.2/5
Weight Loss
2.4/5
Healthy