Yes, There Is a “Best Diet” — If It Meets These 11 Criteria

Forget the Hype — Here’s What the Best Diet Should Really Offer

Is the best diet the carnivore diet? Keto? Mediterranean? The answer is: it depends. The perfect diet isn’t the one that claims the fastest results, nor is it any specific, trendy program.

The best diet isn’t necessarily the one that takes you down to single-digit body fat in 90 days. Instead, the best diet is the one that fits the following criteria for you. Not for everyone else, not for a generalized ideal — just for you. Let’s dive in.

1. Can Be Sustained Long Term Without Destroying Well-being

If you plan a cutting or bulking phase, there should be a clear timeline, and it should include a plan for maintenance. For instance, a 12-week cut should be followed by a maintenance phase where you adjust your caloric intake to stabilize your weight. Sustainability is key — a diet that can’t be maintained long-term often leads to cycles of weight loss and regain, commonly referred to as “yo-yo dieting” (Montani et al., 2015).

2. Emphasizes Mental Health and Relationship with Food