U.S. News & World Report recently released their 2025 Best Diets Ratings, marking the 15th edition of this report. But is there really a “best” diet? In this episode of 1,000 Waking Minutes, Dr. Wendy Bazilian shares her unique behind-the-scenes perspective as one of this year’s expert panelists.

You’ll learn how these diets are evaluated—not just for weight loss, but for health benefits, sustainability, adaptability, and more - and Dr. Bazilian’s tips for finding the best eating pattern for YOU. Whether you’re curious about finding the right diet for your goals or want actionable ideas for healthier eating, this episode is for you.

FROM THE EPISODE:

"I’m going to be a bit like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz today by pulling back the curtain to show you what’s really behind and goes into these Best Diets ratings."

WE DISCUSS:

(1:42) Behind the scenes of the U.S. News and World Report Best Diet Ratings 

(6:23) What does “evaluate” mean? Lessons from my 5-year-old

(10:14) What makes the Mediterranean Diet a perennial standout?

(17:16) My top 5 considerations when evaluating diets

(33:39) A Mindful Minute: Reset and reflect for a healthier day

(36:52) Practical tips to bring plant-focused eating to life and personalize YOUR best diet

(45:12) Recap for you: exploring evaluation and personalization of today’s episode

(47:13) A question to ponder and reflect on 

(47:38) Closing remarks and gratitude to my team and you for joining me on this journey

CONNECT WITH WENDY

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Thank you for tuning in to 1,000 Waking Minutes and being part of this journey–together. A huge thank you to our amazing collaborators including our production and marketing teams and Gabriela Escalante in particular. To the ultra-talented Beza for my theme music, my lifelong friend and artist Pearl Preis Photography and Design, to Danielle Ballantyne, Jen Nguyen, Joanna Powell, and of course, my family and everyone working tirelessly behind the scenes.

Health Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered individual medical or health advice. Always consult with your trusted healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet, exercise, or medical treatment.

REFERENCES

U.S. News & World Report 2025 Best Diets bit.ly/4fP4MtX 

Ahmad et al. Mediterranean Diet Adherence and Risk of All-Cause Mortality in Women. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(5):e2414322. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.14322 

Bernardi & Visioli. (2024). Fostering wellbeing and healthy lifestyles through conviviality and commensality: Underappreciated benefits of the Mediterranean diet. Nutrition Research, 126, 46–57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nutres.2024.03.007. 

California Department of Food and Agriculture. (2023). California agricultural production statistics. Retrieved from https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/statistics/

Cai, et al. (2024). Mediterranean diet for cardiovascular disease: an evidence mapping study. Public Health Nutrition, 27(1), e118. doi:10.1017/S1368980024000776 

Chen, et al.(2024). The Association Between a Mediterranean Diet and Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Clinical gastroenterology and hepatology : the official clinical practice journal of the American Gastroenterological Association, 22(1), 164–172.e6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cgh.2023.07.012

Filippou, et al.. (2022). Overview of salt restriction in the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) and the Mediterranean diet for blood pressure reduction. Reviews in cardiovascular medicine, 23(1), 36. https://doi.org/10.31083/j.rcm2301036

Georgousopoulou, et al. (2020). Mediterranean lifestyle: Linking social life and behaviors, residential environment, and cardiovascular disease prevention. In V. R. Preedy & R. R. Watson (Eds.), The Mediterranean Diet (2nd ed., pp. 67–71). Academic Press. 

Grosso, et al. (2017). A comprehensive meta-analysis on evidence of Mediterranean diet and cardiovascular disease: Are individual components equal?. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition, 57(15), 3218–3232. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2015.1107021  

Guasch-Ferré, et al. (2021). The Mediterranean diet and health: a comprehensive overview. Journal of internal medicine, 290(3), 549–566. https://doi.org/10.1111/joim.13333

Laffond, et al. (2023). Mediterranean Diet for Primary and Secondary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease and Mortality: An Updated Systematic Review. Nutrients, 15(15), 3356. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15153356  

Martínez-González, et al. (2019). The Mediterranean Diet and Cardiovascular Health. Circulation research, 124(5), 779–798. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.118.313348  

Martínez-González, et al. (2017). Transferability of the Mediterranean diet to non-Mediterranean countries: What is and what is not the Mediterranean diet. Nutrients, 9(11), 1226. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.3390/nu9111226

Mediterranean Diet UNESCO. (n.d.). Mediterranean diet scientifically reaffirmed as the healthiest, most sustainable eating pattern. Retrieved from https://mediterraneandietunesco.org/mediterranean-diet-scientifically-reaffirmed-as-the-healthiest-most-sustainable-eating-pattern

Pasta, et al. (2024). Food Intolerances, Food Allergies and IBS: Lights and Shadows. Nutrients, 16(2), 265. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16020265  

Shai, et al. (2008). Weight loss with a low-carbohydrate, Mediterraneanhttps://ww, or low-fat diet. New England Journal of Medicine, 359(3), 229–241. Retrieved from w.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa0708681

Woodside, et al. (2022). Culturally adapting the Mediterranean Diet pattern - a way of promoting more 'sustainable' dietary change?. The British journal of nutrition, 128(4), 693–703. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114522001945