The Best Popular Diets

Thursday, April 17th

2025 Popular Diet Reviews

Weight Watchers

Weight Watchers stands out as the most flexible, science-backed option for sustainable weight loss. You'll love how their SmartPoints system lets you eat any food you want while gently steering you toward healthier choices - no more feeling guilty about enjoying pizza or ice cream in moderation. Their proven four-pillar approach helps you build lasting habits around food, activity, mindset, and sleep, with new features like dietitian support and camera-based meal tracking making the journey even easier. We especially recommend Weight Watchers if you're tired of restrictive diets and want a practical, personalized approach that fits your real life while delivering real results.

Mayo Clinic Diet

The Mayo Clinic Diet stands out as one of the most scientifically-backed weight loss programs you'll find, offering a refreshing focus on sustainable habits rather than strict calorie counting. You'll get access to eight different meal plans (including Mediterranean, Higher Protein, and Healthy Keto options), along with helpful tools like a food tracking app, barcode scanner, and grocery lists to make healthy eating more manageable. What really sets this program apart is the included access to Mayo Clinic experts through group coaching sessions, plus a supportive community to keep you motivated. This program is ideal for anyone looking for a doctor-approved, flexible approach to weight loss that teaches lasting healthy habits - especially if you appreciate having expert guidance without strict rules or required product purchases.

Noom

Don't know how to lose weight? Noom guides you through it by teaching you the psychology behind your eating habits. You'll get daily lessons, food tracking tools, and some basic coaching to help you build better habits that actually stick. Their color-coded food system makes it super easy to make good nutrition choices (though if you're already a nutrition pro, you might find it a bit too basic). Yes, $70 a month is pretty pricey, and the basic coaching isn't anything special, but if you're just starting your weight loss journey and want someone to guide you through the process, Noom's educational content and flexible eating guidelines might be exactly what you need. Bottom line: it's great for beginners who want structure and support, but maybe look elsewhere if you're already savvy about nutrition or want to track detailed macros.

Atkins

If you're looking for a science-backed approach to weight loss that doesn't involve counting calories, Atkins might be your answer. You'll learn to manage carbs strategically while enjoying plenty of satisfying proteins and healthy fats, with the flexibility to choose from three different plans based on your goals. Their comprehensive free tools, including meal plans and a highly-rated iOS app, make it easy to track your progress and stay motivated. We give Atkins a high rating and especially recommend it for people who struggle with carb cravings or blood sugar management, as well as those who prefer clear, structured guidelines for their weight loss journey.

Whole 30

If you're looking to identify foods that might be triggering health issues like inflammation or digestive problems, Real Plans' Whole30 meal planning app takes the guesswork out of this strict 30-day elimination diet. Through the app, you'll get expert-designed meal plans, smart shopping lists with Instacart integration, and detailed prep timelines - all customizable to your dietary needs and family size. $20 a month is a very reasonable price for an app that can actually save you money by preventing food waste and helping you stick to your shopping list. However, this isn't a weight loss program - it's a highly restrictive diet that requires completely avoiding restaurants and processed foods, which may be too challenging for some people. Given its excellent execution of a very specific purpose, we still rate it with a high score.

Keto Diet

If you're looking to start your keto diet with pre-made meals, Sunbasket offers a solid but pricey option with their carb-conscious menu. You'll get fresh, ethically-sourced ingredients and flexible meal prep options ranging from 4-minute microwaveable dishes to 30-minute DIY meal kits, though you'll need to plan your own breakfasts and track macros separately. While the service might be too expensive for long-term use (up to $12 per serving after initial discounts), it's an excellent way to learn keto cooking and jumpstart your low-carb journey.

Mediterranean Diet

Looking to lose weight while enjoying delicious Mediterranean cuisine? Sunbasket 's meal delivery service brings restaurant-quality, Mediterranean-inspired dishes right to your door. You'll get to choose from 7-9 health-conscious options weekly, featuring organic produce and responsibly-sourced proteins in perfectly portioned meals ranging from 400-800 calories. Whether you prefer to cook from their pre-portioned ingredients or heat up their ready-made meals, you'll enjoy the convenience of having nutritious, Mediterranean staples like fresh vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins delivered to your doorstep. This service is ideal for busy health-conscious individuals who want to lose weight naturally through portion-controlled, nutrient-dense meals without sacrificing flavor or spending hours in the kitchen.

Gluten-Free Diet

Looking to explore gluten-free eating without the hassle of meal planning? Sunbasket offers a convenient solution with their flexible meal delivery service, featuring organic ingredients and diverse menu options. You'll get to choose between ready-to-heat meals and cooking kits that cater to various skill levels and time constraints. While the service comes at a premium price point, it could be a solid introduction to gluten-free cooking and eating. For weight loss specifically, we give it a middle-of-the-road rating - it's not designed as a weight loss program, but you can make it work by carefully selecting lower-calorie options and monitoring your portions.

Paleo Diet

If you're looking to embrace a clean eating lifestyle that focuses on whole, unprocessed foods, Sunbasket's Paleo meal delivery service might be your answer. You'll receive restaurant-quality dinners that align perfectly with paleo principles - meaning lots of meat, seafood, vegetables, and healthy fats, but no grains, legumes, or dairy. This service is best suited for paleo devotees and active individuals who need nutrient-dense meals and aren't primarily focused on weight loss. If you're looking to shed pounds, Paleo probably isn't the best choice.

Nutrisystem

If you're looking for a hands-off approach to weight loss and don't mind eating pre-packaged meals, Nutrisystem might seem appealing at first glance. The program handles all your meal planning and portion control, delivering shelf-stable and frozen meals right to your door. However, with poor food quality, confusing pricing tiers, and questionable business practices like hidden fees and strict cancellation policies, this service is hard to recommend to anyone - even those who prioritize convenience over taste. You'll likely find better value and satisfaction from buying frozen diet meals at your local grocery store or trying a more transparent meal delivery service.

Jenny Craig

You might remember Jenny Craig from their glory days of in-person weight loss centers, but the company's 2023 bankruptcy led to a complete overhaul that hasn't done them any favors. Now operating as an online-only service under Nutrisystem's parent company, they offer virtual coaching paired with frozen meal delivery - but the food quality is consistently rated as poor, and their pricing structure is intentionally confusing. You'd be better off avoiding Jenny Craig if you care about taste, transparency, or reliable customer service. With numerous complaints about undelivered orders, zero refund flexibility, and sub-par food quality, we give this service a low score and recommend looking elsewhere for your weight loss journey.

Lumen

Lumen is a pricey breath analysis device that claims to measure your metabolism and tell you whether you're burning fat or carbs, but the science behind it is questionable at best. You'll need to shell out hundreds for the device plus a monthly subscription fee, and the company's "money-back guarantee" is essentially worthless since you can't return an opened device. While it might appeal to data-obsessed fitness enthusiasts who already track their nutrition religiously, it's definitely not suitable if you have asthma, diabetes, or various other health conditions. Save your money (and your breath) - this expensive gadget is more likely to collect dust than help you reach your health goals, earning it a "not recommended" rating from us.