Amby Burfoot has an article that asks, “what is the healthiest diet?” for the general public. His answer comes from the Journal of Nutrition. Looks like there are four winners. Quoting Mr. Burfoot:
They differ slightly in the degree to which they favor, or disfavor, certain foods and food types, such as the following:
- The Healthy Eating Index 2010: Considers low-fat dairy products a plus.
- The Alternative Healthy Eating Index 2010: Considers nuts/legumes a plus, as well as moderate alcohol consumption. Trans fats, sugary beverages, salt, and red meat get a minus.
- The Alternate Mediterranean Diet: Considers fish, nuts/legumes, and moderate alcohol a plus; red meat, a minus.
- The DASH Diet: Considers low-fat dairy and nuts/legumes a plus; sugary beverages, salt, and red meat get a minus.
I think the Mediterranean diet has the most and best data to support it.