As many people resolve to move more, focus on healthy eating, or otherwise find positive aspects to incorporate into their daily lifestyle, the 15th edition of U.S. News & World Report’s Best Diets reveals a wide array of choices. While this list does not, nor does this commentary, constitute medical advice, the information that the publication shared allows people to understand how and why certain food choices can fit into their lifestyle.
According to the publication, the 2025 U.S. News & World Report’s best list is about rating, not ranking. Although the difference might seem slight, the change in terminology is important.
Everyone is different. It is more than hitting a goal. Choosing a particular path is about going on a journey. Even though some days it is easy to stay on the straight and narrow, there needs to be opportunity to deviate from the status quo. These options on the 2025 list take that concept into consideration.
In video files provided to the media, Gretel Schueller, Managing Editor of health at U.S. News, explained that all the lifestyle plans allow for the occasional deviation. Deprivation is off the table in this discussion.
That ability to have moments where an indulgence or favorite food is permissible makes the lifestyle programs more agreeable to a broader audience. Overly restrictive concepts can feel too overwhelming. That adaptability is key to these food eating concepts to become a long lasting choice, not just a short term resolution.
Looking at the expansive list, this year’s discussion is more encompassing of the concept of eating for how people feel. While the various sections discuss concepts, reasoning, and other factors, another aspect is clear. Eating plans are not one size fits all. People need to appreciate the hows, whys, whats, and more that impact their choices.
While the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Diets is an expansive list, the information seems to go hand in hand with 2025 predicted food trends. Whole foods, like fresh fruits and vegetables, continue to be a priority for consumers. As people move away from processed foods, store brands need to showcase how they provide for that consumer demand. From shopping local to more transparency from the growers, people want to feel connected to the food that they eat.
Additionally, plant-based protein continues to trend. Recent product launches show that protein is becoming a key ingredient in many offerings. Even iconic brands, like Cheerios, have introduced protein offerings to give consumers more options.
In the end, the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Diets list should be looked at as a bigger discussion on food lifestyle choices. The results from 69 experts across various fields is not necessarily a plan to change the number on the scale. It is about understanding how consuming food impacts people’s lives.