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U S?News & World Report has released its 2014 “Best Diets” list and the well-known Paleo diet found itself tied for last place.
Essentially a low-carb diet, Paleo places focus on anything available before the agricultural revolution. The concept is straightforward: “If the cavemen didn’t eat it, you should not either,” playboy says.
While popular (“Paleo” was the most searched diet term on Google in 2013), ?the “caveman diet” lacks research proving any cardiovascular health and weight loss benefits, and it is too restrictive for people to follow long-term, according to U.S. News’ experts.
Additionally, Paleo’s removal of dairy and grains limits some essential nutrients, says Mary Carroll, a registered dietitian at Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, Ill.
“Your body needs a multitude of foods to function optimally,” Carroll says. “Eliminating major food groups will make it difficult to keep a well-balanced diet.”
Topping the list for the fourth year consecutively was the DASH (Dietary Methods to Stop Hypertension) Eating Plan. Unlike many diets, DASH doesn’t cut out particular foods and instead concentrates on limiting daily sodium intake.
Second around the best overall list was the Therapeutic Changes in lifestyle Diet, accompanied by the Mayo Clinic Diet, the Mediterranean Diet and Weight Watchers C all tied for third place.
The annual rankings come from a panel of health experts, including nutritionists and physicians, who score each diet for short- and long-term weight loss, easy compliance, safety and nutrition. Diets will also be broken down into eight categories, including best weight-loss diets, best diabetes diets and easiest diets to follow along with.
“Best Diets 2014 is made to help consumers identify a diet that suits their specific needs, whether they are trying to slim down, control a chronic disease or achieve a healthier lifestyle overall,” said Angela Haupt, health & wellness editor for U.S. News, inside a news release.
For the entire list, visit U.S. News & World Report’s Best Diets Rankings.
