According to US News and World Report’s ratings, the Mediterranean diet has been selected as the best diet for 2022 for the fifth consecutive year.
The greatest plant-based diet, the best diet for heart health, the best diet for diabetes, the best diet for healthy eating, and the easiest diet to follow were all ranked as being part of the Mediterranean diet.
The DASH diet, which emphasizes cutting back on salt intake and stands for dietary methods to control hypertension, came in second, followed by the flexitarian diet, which promotes vegetarianism but is accommodating enough to permit the occasional burger.
It was observed that the amount of protein, carbohydrates, fat, and other nutrients included in the winning diets were within well recognized parameters.
Being low in red meat, sugar, and saturated fat and high in fruit, nuts, and other healthful foods, the Mediterranean diet—which includes dishes from Greece, Spain, Italy, and France—was chosen as the healthiest diet because it is a major factor in leading an active lifestyle and controlling weight.
The Mediterranean diet, according to usnews.com, may provide a number of health advantages, such as diabetes prevention and control, cancer prevention, heart and brain health, and weight loss.
Experts advise that you can maintain your weight loss while preventing chronic disease by adhering to the Mediterranean diet.
The managing editor of health for US News & World Report, Gretel Schueller, stated in an email exchange with CNN that the most popular diets focused on what individuals could eat rather than what they couldn’t, which is especially beneficial for them during the pandemic.
The winning diets, she continued, allow for occasional pleasures and offer good nutrition.
“Every diet that works successfully is sensible, safe, and supported by solid scientific evidence. Additionally, all of the diet winners offer enough calories, with an emphasis on whole grains, veggies, and fruits; dairy products in moderation; and occasionally, treats.
A Mediterranean diet: what is it?
In collaboration with the World Health Organization and the Harvard School of Public Health, Oldways developed the Mediterranean Diet Pyramid in 1993.
According to this diet pyramid, one should consume whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, herbs, spices, and healthy fats like olive oil every day. Fish and seafood should be consumed twice a week, along with moderate amounts of dairy products, eggs, and occasionally chicken, as well as rare meals of red meat and sweets.
The Mediterranean diet may also lower the risk of diabetes, depression, dementia, memory loss, and certain types of cancer, according to a number of studies. Longer life, stronger bones, and a healthier heart have all been associated with the diet, which has also been referred to as more of an eating style than a restricted diet.