Mediterranean Diet Ranked Best Way to Eat in 2019

Move over Keto diet, there’s a new top diet in town this year. The Mediterranean diet has been named the best way to eat in the new year, according to rankings released from U.S. News World Report. The report includes an analysis of 41 diet eating plans, with the Mediterranean diet being the best overall diet, as well as snagging the top spot in subcategories like ‘best diet for healthy eating’, ‘best plant-based diet’, and ‘best diet for diabetes’.

Studies have shown that the Mediterranean diet can be effective in reducing the risk of diabetes, high cholesterol, memory loss, dementia, depression, and breast cancer. Those who follow this diet can also expect an increase in bone and heart health and a fair amount of healthy weight loss.

The Mediterranean diet focuses on plant-based cooking, with meals consisting of whole grains, fruits and vegetables. It also emphasizes healthy fats in the form of olive oil and nuts. While meat isn’t seen too often in Mediterranean diet meals, fish is a staple, taking advantage of the healthy fats like omega-3’s.

One advantageous aspect of the Mediterranean diet is that it is more than just a diet, it’s a lifestyle that brings people together in the pursuit of healthy living. Eating with family and practicing mindful eating are encouraged along with staying physically active.

Last year, the best overall diet came out to a tie between the Mediterranean diet and the DASH diet, a government-backed diet that stands for dietary approaches to stop hypertension. This year, the Mediterranean diet inched out for the win, with the DASH diet coming in second, followed by the Flexitarian diet, a plant-based diet that allows meat on special occasion. While each diet has its own characteristics, they all share similarities in that there is little to no processed food, and a major emphasis is placed on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and minimal meat.