Thanks for writing this. I lost 90 pounds in 2017 doing a no sugar, no flour diet (very low carb) and I've kept the weight off as of Jan 2023. Thanks for fighting the good fight!
Nina, thanks for writing this. I used to make writing about the ridiculous US News and World Report "diet rankings" an annual event, but gave up a few years ago. They're just so obviously silly, agenda-driven and transparently biased that it seemed like punching down. I'm mystified as to why people take US News and World Report seriously-- they're kind of like the Golden Globes of news magazines. Fake news, bullshit "science" and politically driven "reporting". The whole publication is long past its expiration date when it comes to relevance. People should just stop buying this rag-- maybe then they'd pay attention.
Actually the inaccurate information we receive from mass media on diet has helped me a lot. In the 80's when I learned to eliminate fat and maximize "complex" carbs, as I listened intently to Sen. McGovern say our health was too important to wait for the science, I believed what I heard and within just a couple of years, at five feet tall I now weighed 190 lbs, obviously because I must be doing it wrong. Tried every diet from ACV to Zone. I actually gained weight on Weight Watchers. Finally went on Keto and lost 60 lbs. Told a diabetic friend to try it. She did and went from 50 units of insulin/day to 10 in just 2 weeks. So I learned a lot by following mass media suggestions. I learned to never, ever trust anything they say and I've been much healthier for it. We have no free press - mass media is just an arm of the gov't which is no friend of the people.
re "What explains the disconnect between the evidence and the rankings?":
To answer this question, the first thing I would investigate, if I were a reader of the publication in question, would be "who sponsors it?"
As a long-time low-carber at stable weight -- the lowest of my adult years (I'm 72) -- I do have a bias. And the quality of the food matters greatly -- we are starting to grow some of our own. Another factor brought to my attention recently is the anti-nutrient load of certain otherwise "healthy" foods, something I knew about and then forgot about. Oops.
It is important to be well-informed about the food you eat.
People are so confused about what to eat and your ability to parse through the science is key to negating the falsehoods. A HUGE thank you for writing this balanced review.
Thank you, Nina for an excellent review of the "best rankings" scam. As a scientist and happy user of a low carb diet, I know that the more we emphasize and repeat its' value, the better.
Thank you, Nina for a balanced view of what appears to be a most biased and now decrepit ratings magazine. Vegan interests are very strong in Australia so we certainly do not want such a magazine here! The cognitive dissonance of mainstream medical profession world-wide is staggering in regards to the utility and scientific basis of low carb diets to the point where evidence-based medicine is a joke when it applies to what is so deeply believed by that mainstream yet rightly revered when proper scientific principles are followed. And the fact that so many people's lived experience aligns with the science yet is derided and ridiculed by that mainstream shows how bent and deranged so many health professionals have become. When will unprincipled health professionals face de-registration for prescribing unscientific diets and face court for the harm wrought by their malfeasance, and when errant health professional colleges face strong sanctions from health departments? People with health conditions do not have the luxury of waiting for the slow machinations of bureaucracy when maltreatment occasions harm daily. There is a need for people and patients to become active in the urgent defence and betterment of their own health. They need to combine with those professionals who eschew ever advancing and changing health science, prompt justice, economic verve, legal nous, bureaucratic sundering, political savvy, incisive expression and real-time strategy.
I would call my personal diet the "Low Processed Ingredients" Diet. The only study done is by me: I've lost about 35 pounds since 2016.
I say "Low" because it's almost impossible to get any commercially prepared food that is truly "Processed Ingredients-Free". Even salt has anti-caking ingredients. And not every ingredient is reported on labels.
As a long term diabetic whose top weight was 305 lbs. I didn't start getting better until I stopped listening to the ADA. Should have realized that if they were really giving out reliable information they would not have so many junk food makers for sponsors. I now follow a low carb, almost keto, diet and am 215 lbs. Might be interesting to see shat food industry companies advertise in US News.
“What explains the disconnect between the evidence and the rankings?”
Come on Nina - you know fine rightly. The great cholesterol con was the first great medical scam which is still being carried on to this day. Flawed/made up science, ‘expert’ approval, censoring of different opinions, a lifetime of medication.....kerching!!
The cholesterol/heart disease nonsense was the blueprint for the nonsense of the last three years
Great article, as always! I noticed the “Keto” diet has risen from dead last to #20. I wonder what changes it made to improve its standing so dramatically? 🧐
Lisa: Yes. Additionally, commercial bakeries add extra gluten to shorten the rising time. Fifty years ago I learned to make my own sourdough bread. We had a household of six, and the first loaf was gone while it was still warm. When I retired I returned to making bread, grinding organic rye berries (rye is best for sourdough). Then, five or six years ago I gave up all grains. I missed it for a while, but it was one the smartest things I've ever done. Today, of course, glyphosate is sprayed on nearly-ripe grains to hasten ripening. Thanks, EPA! Should be called ETPA (Environmental Toxin Protection Agency). Read Dr. David L. Lewis "Science for Sale" to understand why not to trust the EPA. Sewage sludge used as "organic" fertilizer. Warms the heart.
U.S. News' Rankings are Losing Medical, Law Schools. Is “Best Diets” Next?
Thanks for writing this. I lost 90 pounds in 2017 doing a no sugar, no flour diet (very low carb) and I've kept the weight off as of Jan 2023. Thanks for fighting the good fight!
Nina, thanks for writing this. I used to make writing about the ridiculous US News and World Report "diet rankings" an annual event, but gave up a few years ago. They're just so obviously silly, agenda-driven and transparently biased that it seemed like punching down. I'm mystified as to why people take US News and World Report seriously-- they're kind of like the Golden Globes of news magazines. Fake news, bullshit "science" and politically driven "reporting". The whole publication is long past its expiration date when it comes to relevance. People should just stop buying this rag-- maybe then they'd pay attention.
Actually the inaccurate information we receive from mass media on diet has helped me a lot. In the 80's when I learned to eliminate fat and maximize "complex" carbs, as I listened intently to Sen. McGovern say our health was too important to wait for the science, I believed what I heard and within just a couple of years, at five feet tall I now weighed 190 lbs, obviously because I must be doing it wrong. Tried every diet from ACV to Zone. I actually gained weight on Weight Watchers. Finally went on Keto and lost 60 lbs. Told a diabetic friend to try it. She did and went from 50 units of insulin/day to 10 in just 2 weeks. So I learned a lot by following mass media suggestions. I learned to never, ever trust anything they say and I've been much healthier for it. We have no free press - mass media is just an arm of the gov't which is no friend of the people.
Thank you for this. As a 15+ year proponent of a low carb, healthy fat, moderate protein lifestyle I appreciate all facts you've shared.
re "What explains the disconnect between the evidence and the rankings?":
To answer this question, the first thing I would investigate, if I were a reader of the publication in question, would be "who sponsors it?"
As a long-time low-carber at stable weight -- the lowest of my adult years (I'm 72) -- I do have a bias. And the quality of the food matters greatly -- we are starting to grow some of our own. Another factor brought to my attention recently is the anti-nutrient load of certain otherwise "healthy" foods, something I knew about and then forgot about. Oops.
It is important to be well-informed about the food you eat.
I love how you explained this, Nina. The Best Diets list ignores another key component. Obesity isn't just about food consumption!
People are so confused about what to eat and your ability to parse through the science is key to negating the falsehoods. A HUGE thank you for writing this balanced review.
Nina, I love the way you summarize a lot of data into concise, easy to understand facts and opinions.
Thank you, Nina for an excellent review of the "best rankings" scam. As a scientist and happy user of a low carb diet, I know that the more we emphasize and repeat its' value, the better.
Thank you, Nina for a balanced view of what appears to be a most biased and now decrepit ratings magazine. Vegan interests are very strong in Australia so we certainly do not want such a magazine here! The cognitive dissonance of mainstream medical profession world-wide is staggering in regards to the utility and scientific basis of low carb diets to the point where evidence-based medicine is a joke when it applies to what is so deeply believed by that mainstream yet rightly revered when proper scientific principles are followed. And the fact that so many people's lived experience aligns with the science yet is derided and ridiculed by that mainstream shows how bent and deranged so many health professionals have become. When will unprincipled health professionals face de-registration for prescribing unscientific diets and face court for the harm wrought by their malfeasance, and when errant health professional colleges face strong sanctions from health departments? People with health conditions do not have the luxury of waiting for the slow machinations of bureaucracy when maltreatment occasions harm daily. There is a need for people and patients to become active in the urgent defence and betterment of their own health. They need to combine with those professionals who eschew ever advancing and changing health science, prompt justice, economic verve, legal nous, bureaucratic sundering, political savvy, incisive expression and real-time strategy.
I would call my personal diet the "Low Processed Ingredients" Diet. The only study done is by me: I've lost about 35 pounds since 2016.
I say "Low" because it's almost impossible to get any commercially prepared food that is truly "Processed Ingredients-Free". Even salt has anti-caking ingredients. And not every ingredient is reported on labels.
Oh, and I don't get Migraines any more...
Hail Gary Taubes and his 2007 book, “Good Calories, Bad Calories”. It really was an eye opener for many people.
As a long term diabetic whose top weight was 305 lbs. I didn't start getting better until I stopped listening to the ADA. Should have realized that if they were really giving out reliable information they would not have so many junk food makers for sponsors. I now follow a low carb, almost keto, diet and am 215 lbs. Might be interesting to see shat food industry companies advertise in US News.
“What explains the disconnect between the evidence and the rankings?”
Come on Nina - you know fine rightly. The great cholesterol con was the first great medical scam which is still being carried on to this day. Flawed/made up science, ‘expert’ approval, censoring of different opinions, a lifetime of medication.....kerching!!
The cholesterol/heart disease nonsense was the blueprint for the nonsense of the last three years
Great article, as always! I noticed the “Keto” diet has risen from dead last to #20. I wonder what changes it made to improve its standing so dramatically? 🧐
Lisa: Yes. Additionally, commercial bakeries add extra gluten to shorten the rising time. Fifty years ago I learned to make my own sourdough bread. We had a household of six, and the first loaf was gone while it was still warm. When I retired I returned to making bread, grinding organic rye berries (rye is best for sourdough). Then, five or six years ago I gave up all grains. I missed it for a while, but it was one the smartest things I've ever done. Today, of course, glyphosate is sprayed on nearly-ripe grains to hasten ripening. Thanks, EPA! Should be called ETPA (Environmental Toxin Protection Agency). Read Dr. David L. Lewis "Science for Sale" to understand why not to trust the EPA. Sewage sludge used as "organic" fertilizer. Warms the heart.