The Best And Worst Diets For 2020

(CBS4) -The beginning of a new year tends to be the time for a lot of new starts… especially dropping some pounds. To help you along the way, there are a number of "official" diets to follow.

But just like everything, there are some that are really good, and some that are just plain awful.

A group of nutrition experts, 25 in all, ranked the most popular diets based on the following qualities:

Healthiness

Easy to follow, and maintain

Balance

Family friendliness

Sustainability

The results are published in US News and World Report's 10^th annual Best Diets Edition.

So here are the good, the bad, and the just plain ugly of diets for 2020:

1. Mediterranean Diet- a simple plant-based diet with an emphasis on fruits, vegetables, olive oil, fish, and even red wine. Score 4.2/5
2. DASH Diet- also simple plant-based diet with an emphasis on more fruits and veggies, low fat dairy, and low salt. It's especially good at lowering blood pressure. 4.1/5
3. (tie with #2)Flexitarian Diet- a heavy emphasis on fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, with occasional meat or fish. Noted to be very "family friendly." 4.1/5
4. WW or Weight Watchers- highest rank for overall weight loss and rapid weight loss. Good support system. 3.9/5
5. (tie with #4) Mayo Clinic Diet- rated best for making healthy eating life-long 3.8/5
6. (tie with #4) MIND Diet- a combo of DASH and Flexitarian. Aims to prevent mental sharpness. 3.8/5
7. (tie with #4) Volumetrics- heart-healthy and a good diet for people with diabetes. 3.8/5
8. TLC Diet                       3.7/5
9. Nordic Diet                  3.6/5
10. Ornish Diet                  3.6/5
11. Vegetarian Diet           3.6/5
12. Fertility Diet                3.5/5
13. Jenny Craig                 3.5/5
14. Asian Diet                    3.4/5
15. Weil                              3.3/5
16. Nutritarian Diet          3.3/5
17. Vegan Diet                   3.2/5
18. The Engine 2 Diet       3.1/5
19. South Beach Diet        3.1/5
20. Biggest Loser Diet     3.0/5
21. Glycemic Index Diet   3.0/5
22. Nutrasystem               3.0/5
23. Zone Diet                    3.0/5
24. Macrobiotic Diet        2.9/5
25. Slim Fast                      2.9/5
26. HMR Program            2.8/5
27. Optavia                       2.6/5
28. Alkaline Diet              2.5/5
29. The Fast Diet              2.4/5
30. Paleo Diet                  2.4/5
31. Raw Foods Diet         2.3/5
32. Adkins                        2.2/5
33. Whole 30 Diet           2.1/5

34. The Keto Diet- High fat, low carb. Considered unhealthy for most people, and can't stay on it for more than the short-term. 2.0/5
35. Dukan Diet- described by panel as "idiotic". 1.9/5

For more info on the top 3 diets including recipes and other resources:

https://health.usnews.com/best-diet/mediterranean-diet

https://health.usnews.com/best-diet/dash-diet

https://health.usnews.com/best-diet/flexitarian-diet