As 2012 came to a close, so did the tallying of votes for the year’s best-ranked diets. Considering that two thirds of Americans today follow some type of diet plan, the results of the U.S. News rankings are of interest to many people. Successful diets and nutrition practices contribute to many lifestyle aspects, and they largely determine long-term health, well-being and even happiness. Given all this, crowning the best of the best diets is like concluding whose efforts will in fact bring them the successes they’re striving for.
Reigning in the spotlight for the third year in a row as the best overall diet is the DASH Diet, followed closely by the TLC and Mayo Clinic Diets. At the top of the weight loss list was Weight Watchers, a diet that at first glance, appears quite different than DASH and TLC. However, much of these diets (and many other good ones) are all based on certain key attributes, common to all good diets, that seem to bode well with the general public.
DASH Diet: Healthy Choices
The DASH diet stands for Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension. It was created by doctors and dietitians looking for a dietary solution to high blood pressure. Even though weight loss wasn’t a primary goal in the creation of this eating plan, most followers find that weight loss is indeed a positive side effect. The DASH plan includes ample amounts of fruits, vegetables and grains (preferably whole grains). In addition, it encourages low fat sources of dairy and meats. Overall, the diet allows for a lot of food while emphasizing the right choices. It also provides ways to lower blood pressure through high-potassium, low-sodium options.
Weight Watchers: Points
With the Weight Watchers Diet, you may find quite the opposite in terms of recommendations. Weight Watchers advertisements stress that you can eat whatever you want. This message is usually broadcasted over visuals of pizza, pasta and desserts – some of the last foods that come to mind when you think of a successful diet plan. But by assigning point values to all foods, users can follow this diet simply by controlling their portions and amounts. Dieters don’t have to get used to an entire set of new foods or make dramatic changes. And with the point system, dieters come to realize the effects different types of foods have on their bodies and weight gain. In the confusing world of dieting, this simple approach coupled with occasional nutrition education, exercise and support makes Weight Watchers a perfect fit for many.
A Recipe for Success
So what makes these two diets so popular among users despite their distinct differences? Having been exposed to so many new diets, fads, and doctors proclaiming this and that, we’ve all come to learn what actually makes a diet successful. The DASH Diet and Weight Watchers are perfect examples of plans that simply work well because they promote universally good eating habits. One vitally important aspect that is similar between the two plans is the emphasis on balance. Just like other areas of our lives, our diets must also have balance. The Weight Watchers point system is used to balance portions, and the DASH Diet promotes balancing healthy and unhealthy foods.
Secondly, there’s nothing extreme about the recommendations given. People are apt to adopt these two popular diets because they quickly learn that they are maintainable…for life. The diets don’t restrict eating, but rather provide a way to mesh with a person’s individual preferences. The large variety of options frees a person from feeling constrained in their eating while still incorporating calorie control in a safe and effective way. This is in stark contrast to diets like HCG, The Dukan or Atkins that may help you lose more weight initially, but become increasingly difficult to follow because they dismiss entire food groups. Thankfully, smart dieters are now beginning to evaluate whether their efforts can be maintained for a lifetime, not just for a number of weeks.
In conclusion, the best “diets” of 2013 aren’t really diets at all. They are adaptable, lifelong strategies for choosing foods in a healthy and acceptable way. The Weight Watchers and DASH eating plans are built on fundamental traits such as balance, calorie control, nutrient density, variety and moderation…traits that are in short supply throughout our diet crazy society.
Twelve Steps to Better Fitness