Experts say paleo diet is worst, DASH diet is best

(HealthDay)—The controversial Paleo Diet was last on the 2014 "Best Diets List" from U.S. News & World Report, while the DASH plan was named the best overall diet.

The Paleo Diet emphasizes consumption of lots of produce and animal protein, while avoiding sugar, grains, legumes, and diary altogether. Another high-protein, low-carbohydrate approach called the Dukan diet tied the Paleo Diet in last place, CNN reported. The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet was developed by the U.S. National Institute of Health for people with high blood pressure, but is also effective in reducing cholesterol and lowering the risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney stones, and diabetes, according to the NIH.

Each year, U.S. News & World Report asks experts to evaluate different diet plans and this year they rated 32 of the most popular ones. A top-ranked diet has to be fairly easy to follow, safe, nutritious, effective for weight loss and protective against heart disease and diabetes, CNN reported.

Just behind the DASH diet was the Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes Diet, also created by the NIH. Tied for third place were the Mayo Clinic Diet, the Mediterranean Diet, and Weight Watchers.