United States: The Mediterranean diet is actually still the best choice for healthy eating! It was ranked number one again in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best Diets list.
This year, the list is a little different. Instead of just ranking diets in one big list, the publication now rates them based on how well they work for different health goals.
This change shows that more people are thinking about their overall health, not just weight loss.
New models of ‘Best Diets’ assessments take into account the variability of the need and purpose of diets, going beyond simple weight loss, Schueller of U.S. News & World Report added.
As reported by the wtop.com, the best rated diet was the Mediterranean diet with an overall rating of 4.8 out of 5. That’s why it is also the winner of multiple categories like best diets for diabetes, mental health, and fatty livers.
This diet has gained lots of popularity due to its endorsement of vegetables, fruits, whole grain, olive oil and lean protein “The concepts of this diet can actually be incorporated on to almost any kind of food type, whether it be Indian, Chinese, South American, etc.” Schueller said.
Schueller said this year’s list moved more toward the concept of ‘food as medicine,’ which coincided with increasing data showing that there is a large role played by diets in preventing and treating diseases.
“It does not substitute for consulting your doctor or dietitian,” she added. “But food is used in the disease treatment and prevention in a very important way.”
The 2025 Best Diets ranked 38 plans in 21 categories including twelve new classifications like the best diet for brain, arthritis, and menopause.
It was also ranked highly as the overall diet; the DASH diet received 4.6 points, the Flexitarian diet has 4.5 points, and the MIND diet has 4.4 points.
In terms of specific needs, Low-FODMAP was recommended for IBS, and Dr. Andrew Weil’s Anti-Inflammatory for arthritis and inflammation.
To accompany the most popular version of the rating called 2025, WW launched an entertaining quiz that will allow you to select the best diets for certain goals and preferences.
This is because, as stated, 43 professors of Medicine, Registered Dietitians, Public Health Specialists in the United States reviewed these diets. They include doctors of cardiology, women, and gastroenterology, as well as nutrition for athletes, who hope to be both holistic and evidence-based.