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2 min read<\/p>\n2 min read<\/p>\n
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There is so much conflicting information about what to eat and which nutrients to prioritize, so we asked experts to name the healthiest diet.They all agreed the Mediterranean diet is the healthiest, which focuses on fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, protein, and whole grains while reducing sugar and red meat.This diet stands out because it\u2019s not restrictive and emphasizes eating a variety of foods rather than cutting out entire groups.<\/p>\n
In a world of ever-revolving fad diets and nutrition<\/a> guidance, it can be hard to figure out what kind of eating is actually good for you. Front-loading certain nutrients like protein<\/a>, fiber<\/a>, and carbs is championed by some and derided by others. So we decided to answer the question, \u201cWhat diet is the healthiest?\u201d once and for all by asking the experts. Somewhat surprisingly, they all said the same thing: the Mediterranean diet<\/a>.<\/p>\n Now, this shouldn\u2019t come as a shock, as the Mediterranean diet has long been lauded as the best-of-the-best in terms of healthy<\/a> eating. It\u2019s linked to lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease and some cancers, helping to create and maintain a healthier gut biome, slowing cognitive decline, and more, all of which can lead to a longer, healthier life. The reasoning breaks down to a few key components.<\/p>\n Related StoryWhat Is The Mediterranean Diet?<\/p>\n The diet focuses on eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, healthy fats\u2014like olive oil, fish, and nuts\u2014and whole grains, while reducing sugar and red meat.<\/p>\n It\u2019s broad enough that you\u2019ll get all the nutrients you need for a healthy life.<\/p>\n \u201cFiber and polyphenols support the gut microbiome, omega-3s reduce inflammation, monounsaturated fats improve cholesterol, and the pattern is naturally lower in the ultra-processed foods driving so much of today\u2019s metabolic disease,\u201d says Madison Reeder, registered dietitian and Director of Clinical Operations at ModifyHealth<\/a>.<\/p>\n What Makes The Mediterranean Diet Special?<\/p>\n Both Johannah Katz,<\/a> R.D., Consumer Health Digest, and Luciana Soares<\/a>, D.C.N., R.D.N., L.D.N., F.A.N.D., professor and director at Johnson & Wales University, note that the diet benefits from prioritizing healthy foods rather than avoiding unhealthy foods. Whereas many diets cut out entire food groups, the Mediterranean diet encourages balance.<\/p>\n Related Story<\/p>\n Chef Celine Beitchman<\/a>, Director of Nutrition at the Institute of Culinary Education<\/a>, says that traditional, heritage diets\u2014like the Mediterranean diet\u2014tend to be healthier in general, and that \u201ctraditional and plant-forward diets are much richer in nutrient-dense components (vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and lean animal foods) that line up with research on types of eating patterns that reduce disease risk.\u201d<\/p>\n Overall, Katz says the best diet is one that is \u201cnutrient-dense, evidence-based, and sustainable for the individual,\u201d all of which the Mediterranean diet encompasses.<\/p>\n