Most of us have attempted to diet at some point in our lives. For many the goal is weight loss but special diets are also available to achieve other health related goals. Some people want to gain weight, others want to gain muscle while many others want to maintain a healthy weight. There are diets for health related problems such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease as well as for the environmentally conscience individual who wants to lead a healthy life. This article reviews some of the more popular, safe and successful diets.

U.S. News evaluated and ranked 32 diets with input from a panel of health experts. To be top-rated, a diet had to be relatively easy to follow, nutritious, safe and effective for weight loss and against diabetes and heart disease. The government-endorsed Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) was ranked number 1. There are however many other helpful diet plans to help you achieve your goals. Below is a summary of some of the top diets.

DASH Diet
DASH was developed to provide an option for managing high blood pressure without the use of medications. Its logic is based on the fact that potassium, calcium, protein and fiber lowers blood pressure. It is nutritiously complete, safe and is useful for those who are trying to prevent or manage diabetes and heart disease. It consists of a daily intake of 4-5 fruits, 4-5 vegetables, 2-3 servings of dairy and less than 25% fat. It is proven to lower bother the systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

TLC Diet
Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes, or TLC, is a diet created by the National Institutes of Health. It is designed to promote cardiovascular health by lowering the cholesterol levels through decreasing the amount of saturated fat in the diet. One expert described it as a “very healthful, complete, safe diet.” It focuses on encouraging lifestyle changes in both diet and exercise. It requires motivation and serves as a guide for healthy living.

Mayo Clinic Diet
The Mayo Clinic designed this diet to assist in the development of a lifelong healthy eating habit with the objective of weight loss. If followed, it boasts a 6-10 lb. weight loss in the first 2 weeks. It combines direction with education. It tells you what to do to lose the weight then provides you with the information necessary to make good food choices.

Mediterranean Diet
This diet has many advantages. The experts described it as “sensible”. It is a diet that is high in fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. Olive oil is its source of monounsaturated fat. Other characteristics include low-moderate wine consumption, small amounts of red meat, and low-moderate fish, poultry and dairy intake. Populations with this type of diet have a lower than average incidence of cardiovascular death, cancer, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.

Weight Watchers
Weight Watchers is a commercial success because it is smart and effective. It reigns over other commercial diet plans because it is effective in terms of weight loss and easy to follow. Experts praise it because it is nutritiously complete and safe. Other advantages include an emphasis on group support, plenty of fruits and vegetables, and the built in indulgences that helps with the sweet cravings.

Vegetarian Diets
Although this wasn’t among the ranked diets it is important to note that vegetarians have a lower incidence of obesity, heart disease, hypertension and diabetes. The best outcomes are with those lactovegetarians who consume milk and dairy products.

There are numerous resources available to help to make appropriate food choices. Based on your needs and personal goals, you should be able to find a plan that is right for you. Remember the goal of good nutrition is to maintain a healthy body so you can function at the highest level possible.

I hope this article has provided you with information that will help you make wise choices, so you may:

Live healthy, live well and live long!