9 most popular diets rated by experts 2017

2017 was the year diet culture basically moved into your phone and started sending push notifications. Low-carb was loud.
Plant-based was having a moment. And somewhere in the middle, a lot of people were just trying to figure out what to eat
without turning dinner into a math test.

To cut through the noise, expert panels (including the widely cited annual U.S. News & World Report “Best Diets” project)
rated eating plans on things like overall nutrition, safety, sustainability, and how realistic they are in real life.
Translation: “Can a normal human follow this and still enjoy a birthday party?”

What “rated by experts” meant in 2017 (and why it matters)

Expert rankings in 2017 generally rewarded diets that did three things well: (1) emphasized whole foods (plants, fiber, lean proteins),
(2) supported long-term heart and metabolic health, and (3) didn’t require you to fear a banana. Diets that were highly restrictive,
heavily processed, or difficult to maintain tended to score lowereven if they were trendy.

Important note: rankings are not medical advice. If you have a health condition (or a history of disordered eating), the “best” plan is the
one your clinician or registered dietitian would sign their name under.

The 9 popular diets people talked about in 2017and how experts generally viewed them

1) Mediterranean diet

What it is

A flexible eating pattern inspired by traditional cuisines around the Mediterranean Sea. Think: vegetables, fruit, beans, whole grains, olive oil,
nuts, and seafood more oftenplus less red meat and fewer ultra-processed foods.

Why experts liked it

In 2017 rankings, Mediterranean-style eating was consistently near the top because it’s nutrient-dense, realistic, and linked with better
heart-health outcomes in long-running research. It’s also not a “diet” so much as a “how do we eat like adults?” blueprint.

Common pitfalls

“Mediterranean” doesn’t mean “unlimited pasta + a single sad tomato.” It works best when vegetables, legumes, and whole grains are the foundation,
not a garnish.

Example day (not a rulebook)

• Breakfast: Greek yogurt with berries and chopped nuts
• Lunch: Chickpea-and-veg salad with olive oil + lemon
• Dinner: Salmon, roasted vegetables, and a whole-grain side

2) Weight Watchers (WW) diet

What it is

A structured program that uses a points-style system to guide choices, plus coaching/community support. It’s less about “forbidden foods” and more
about building patterns you can keep.

Why experts liked it

In 2017, experts tended to rate programs higher when they promoted balanced eating and accountability rather than extreme rules. WW also got credit
for support systemsbecause willpower is great, but it’s not a pantry organization strategy.

Common pitfalls

Some people get overly focused on points and forget the bigger picture: fiber, protein, and minimally processed foods help you feel good and stay satisfied.
The goal is a healthier routine, not winning points like it’s an arcade.

Works best for

People who like structure, tracking, and community supportespecially those who struggle with consistency when “just eat healthy” is the only instruction.

3) Vegetarian diet

What it is

A pattern that avoids meat (and sometimes fish), while still allowing plant proteins, dairy, and/or eggs depending on the style.
In 2017, vegetarian eating was both popular and increasingly mainstream.

Why experts liked it

When well-planned, vegetarian diets can be nutrient-rich and high in fiber, with benefits for heart and metabolic health.
Many expert reviewers favor “plant-forward” approaches because they tend to improve overall diet quality.

Common pitfalls

“Vegetarian” doesn’t automatically mean “healthy.” A diet of fries, white pasta, and soda is technically vegetarianand technically a bad idea.
Aim for beans, lentils, tofu/tempeh, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and lots of vegetables.

Simple upgrade

Build meals around a protein anchor (lentils, beans, tofu) and add color (vegetables) + smart carbs (whole grains) + healthy fats (olive oil, nuts).

4) Vegan diet

What it is

A fully plant-based approach that excludes animal products (meat, fish, dairy, eggs). In 2017, vegan eating surged in visibility due to
health, environmental, and ethical reasons.

Why experts were cautiously positive

Experts generally credit vegan diets for fiber, plant variety, and lower saturated fatwhen the diet is centered on whole foods.
But they also emphasize planning, because some nutrients are harder to get without animal foods.

Common pitfalls

The big one is nutrient gapsespecially vitamin B12 (often requiring fortified foods or supplements), and sometimes iron, calcium, vitamin D,
iodine, omega-3 fats, and protein depending on food choices.

“Healthy vegan” looks like

• Protein: beans, lentils, tofu/tempeh, edamame, soy milk, nuts/seeds
• Calcium: fortified plant milks, calcium-set tofu, leafy greens
• B12: fortified foods or supplements (talk with a clinician/dietitian)

5) South Beach diet

What it is

A phased plan that emphasizes lean proteins, unsaturated fats, and “smart” carbswhile limiting refined grains and added sugars.
Early phases are more restrictive, then it gradually reintroduces more carbohydrates.

How experts tended to rate it

Compared with some low-carb plans, South Beach earned points for focusing on quality carbs and healthy fats. Still, its stricter phases can be tough
to maintain and may encourage an “on/off” mindset for some people.

Common pitfalls

When phase rules feel like a food court bouncer (“Sorry, you’re not on the list”), people can overcompensate later. It works better when it’s used
to build long-term habits: vegetables, lean proteins, and mostly unrefined carbs.

6) The Zone diet

What it is

A macronutrient “ratio” approachoften described as about 40% carbohydrates, 30% protein, and 30% fatdesigned to stabilize blood sugar and reduce
inflammation (at least in theory).

How experts tended to view it

Experts often appreciate that Zone encourages balance and emphasizes unrefined carbs and healthy fats. The critique is that strict macro math isn’t
necessary for most peopleand can be a barrier to sustainability if it makes eating stressful.

Common pitfalls

If you find yourself calculating almond-to-chicken ratios at a restaurant, the plan may be controlling you, not the other way around.
A simpler version is to use the “balanced plate” idea: protein + fiber-rich carbs + healthy fat.

7) Atkins diet

What it is

A classic low-carb approach that starts with very low carbs and then gradually increases carbs over phases. In 2017, it remained one of the most
recognized diet brands in America.

How experts tended to rate it

Low-carb diets can reduce refined carb intake (a win) and may help some people manage appetite or blood sugar in the short term. But experts often
note that long-term success depends on food quality and sustainabilitynot just cutting carbs.

Common pitfalls

If “low-carb” becomes “low-vegetable,” you lose fiber and a lot of micronutrients. Another risk is replacing carbs with lots of saturated fat and
processed meatssomething many health organizations discourage.

Make it less “diet” and more “plan”

Keep non-starchy vegetables high, choose unsaturated fats more often (olive oil, nuts), and pick proteins that don’t come with a side of extra sodium.

8) Ketogenic (keto) diet

What it is

A very low-carb, high-fat diet designed to shift the body toward ketosis (using fat-derived ketones for energy).
Keto has medical roots (notably for certain epilepsy cases) but became a mainstream trend in the late 2010s.

How experts tended to rate it

Experts often separate “medical keto under supervision” from “internet keto for everyone.” The main concerns: limited long-term data for general use,
potential nutrient gaps, side effects (constipation, dehydration, “keto breath”), and that it’s hard to follow without becoming overly restrictive.

Common pitfalls

Many people unintentionally cut fiber by avoiding fruits, beans, and whole grains. Others rely on highly processed “keto” snacks. Either way, the
diet can drift away from whole foods fast.

Who should be extra cautious

People with kidney disease, those at risk for disordered eating, pregnant individuals, and anyone taking glucose-lowering medications should talk with
a clinician before attempting keto.

9) Raw food diet

What it is

A pattern emphasizing uncooked or minimally heated foods (often plant-based), such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and sprouted grains/legumes.
In 2017, “raw” rode the same wave as “clean eating,” often fueled by social media aesthetics.

How experts tended to rate it

Experts may like the produce-forward intention, but many flag raw food diets as overly restrictive and potentially riskyespecially if they limit protein,
calcium, vitamin B12, and iron. Food safety is another major concern when raw animal products or unpasteurized items enter the picture.

Common pitfalls

It can be hard to meet nutrition needs long term. Plus, strict raw eating can raise food-safety risks (for example, unpasteurized dairy and raw sprouts
have well-known pathogen concerns).

A safer, more realistic compromise

If you love raw fruits and salads, greatkeep them. Just don’t make “never cooked” the rule. Cooking can improve digestibility and makes some nutrients
more available, while also reducing foodborne illness risk.

How to choose among these diets (without losing your mind)

If experts agreed on anything in 2017, it was this: the best diet is the one you can do consistently while meeting your nutrition needs.
Before picking a plan, ask:

• Is it sustainable? Can you imagine eating this way at holidays, on busy workdays, and when you’re tired?
• Does it encourage whole foods? The more “real food,” the better the odds.
• Does it fit your health needs? Conditions and medications matterso do your mental relationship with food.
• Does it allow flexibility? Diets that forbid entire food groups for everyone tend to backfire.

Extra note for teens and still-growing bodies

If you’re still growing, “dieting” can be a tricky word. Restrictive plans (especially very low-carb or very low-calorie patterns) can interfere with
energy, mood, performance, and nutrition needs. If you’re considering a major diet change, it’s worth talking with a clinician or a registered dietitian
who works with teens. The goal is fuel and healthnot shrinking your life to fit a food rule.

Real-world experiences : what people commonly report trying these 2017-popular diets

Diet descriptions are neat and tidy. Real life is not. Below are experiences people commonly report when they try these popular 2017 dietsless “before-and-after”
and more “what actually happens when Monday meets your calendar.”

The first week: the “wait… I eat what now?” phase

Most changes start with a kitchen identity crisis. Mediterranean and vegetarian eaters often say week one is surprisingly pleasant: you add foods
(vegetables, beans, olive oil, fish, nuts) instead of only subtracting them, so meals feel abundant. People frequently notice they’re shopping the perimeter
of the grocery store moreproduce, seafood, plain yogurtthen grabbing staples like canned beans and whole grains to avoid cooking from scratch every day.

Low-carb plans like Atkins or keto feel different. Many people describe a strong “reset” sensation: less sugar and fewer refined carbs, but also a period
of fatigue, headaches, or constipation if they don’t replace lost carbs with enough fiber, fluids, and minerals. This is also where a common mistake appears:
swapping bread for bacon and calling it “health.” People who do better tend to say they leaned on non-starchy vegetables and unsaturated fats (avocado, olive oil)
rather than making every meal a meat festival.

Weeks two to four: the routine builds (or the rebellion begins)

By week two, the winners are usually the plans that reduce decision fatigue. WW followers often say the structure helps them stop negotiating with themselves at
every snack. It’s not that they never want chips; it’s that the program makes the choice feel less emotional and more practical. Some also say the community element
(check-ins, groups, coaching) matters more than the food rulesbecause encouragement is a real nutrient.

Zone and South Beach followers often report that the “balanced meal” concept improves their afternoons: fewer energy crashes when meals include protein, fiber-rich carbs,
and healthy fats together. The challenge is precision. People who treat the plan like a flexible guideline tend to keep it; people who treat it like a contract with the
universe tend to get tired of the paperwork.

Social life: the real test nobody prints on the brochure

Mediterranean and flexibly vegetarian styles are often described as “socially invisible”you can order them almost anywhere without announcing a dietary manifesto.
Raw food and strict keto are the opposite. People frequently report stress at restaurants, family gatherings, and school/work events because the options feel limited.
When a plan makes you avoid situations you enjoy, it stops being a health strategy and starts becoming a life shrink-ray.

The most common “aha” moments

• Better planning beats perfect discipline. People who keep easy staples (fruit, yogurt, hummus, beans, frozen vegetables) report fewer “emergency meals.”
• Protein and fiber are the calm duo. Across diets, those who eat enough protein and fiber tend to feel steadier between meals.
• Food quality matters more than diet labels. Whole-food vegan and “vegan junk food” can look extremely different in how people feel.
• All-or-nothing thinking is the fast lane to quitting. The most sustainable stories usually include flexibility, not perfection.

If there’s a single practical takeaway from the 2017 diet conversation, it’s this: expert-rated patterns tend to be the ones that improve nutrition without demanding
you turn your life into a rigid rule set. Health is built in ordinary meals, repeatedmore “Tuesday dinner” than “New Year’s resolution.”

Wrap-up: what 2017 expert ratings still teach us

The most popular diets in 2017 ranged from balanced lifestyle patterns (Mediterranean, vegetarian) to tightly structured plans (WW) to highly restrictive approaches
(strict keto, strict raw). Expert reviewers generally favored diets that are nutritionally complete and realistic long termand raised eyebrows at plans that cut major
food groups without a clear medical reason.

If you’re choosing among these diets today, you don’t need to “pick a team.” Start with the basics experts consistently reward: more plants, more fiber, better fats,
less added sugar, fewer ultra-processed foods, and a plan you can actually live with.

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