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The best diets are healthy eating patterns that emphasize whole, nutrient-rich plant foods and minimize heavily processed foods, such as those high in added sugar and refined grains. There are many ways to approach this eating style to fit within your budget, cultural considerations and food preferences.
When you follow a nutritious dietary pattern, you benefit from a range of nutrients that protect your cells from inflammation and oxidative stress, which can cause damage and promote diseases like heart disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes and cognitive decline.
The best diets also include plenty of fiber and other gut-nourishing nutrients. A healthy gut is involved in proper immune functioning, keeping inflammation in check, absorbing nutrients and regulating other bodily functions. So, a healthy gut is crucial for a healthy mind and body.
Here’s a look at the best diets and their pros and cons. What is the No. 1 healthiest diet?
The Mediterranean diet consistently ranks as the best diet, so it’s probably unsurprising that it tops my list as a registered dietitian. This eating plan is not only backed by extensive research, but it’s also incredibly flexible: There are no concrete rules, and you can customize it to suit many different cultural cuisines.
Based on the traditional diets of countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea, a Mediterranean diet meal plan centers around vegetables , fruits , whole grains , legumes , nuts , and heart-healthy olive oil as the primary source of fat. Seafood is eaten frequently, at least twice a week, and while chicken and eggs are acceptable on most days, red meat is eaten less often. Dairy on the Mediterranean diet is served in the form of yogurt and cheese , but cheese, in particular, may be eaten in smaller amounts than you’re used to.
Heavily processed foods and sweets aren’t a way of life on the Mediterranean diet, but you can still enjoy these foods sometimes. Although the potential benefits of […]
What are the best diets for overall health? A dietitian shares her No. 1 pick
