5 secrets to steal from these popular diets
Here are the best weight loss tips from the Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet, and more.
Jan, 2026
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Losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight both require regular physical activity and a balanced eating plan. But when the latest and greatest diets are everywhere you turn, how do you know which one is right for you?
It can be tough to tell. There’s no one-diet-fits-all, and the plan that works best for your body can depend on your age, hormones, schedule, activity level, and which foods are easily available to you.
While you’re figuring out your approach, it may help to pick and choose smart, proven tips from top diet plans. With that in mind, here are helpful takeaways from popular diets.
Written byOlivia DeLong.
Medically reviewed byMark Arredondo, MD.
Sources: WW. How It Works. Page accessed August 2 + 13
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- Mayo Clinic. Mediterranean diet for heart health. July 23, 2021.
- U.S. News and World Report. DASH Diet. Page accessed August 2, 2022.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Water and Healthier Drinks. Page last updated June 6, 2022.
- MedlinePlus. Can you boost your metabolism? Reviewed May 26, 2020.
- Esselstyn CB. A plant-based diet and coronary artery disease: a mandate for effective therapy. J Geriatr Cardiol. 2017 May;14(5):317-320.
- Naghshi S, Sadeghi O, et al. Dietary intake of total, animal, and plant proteins and risk of all cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality: systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. BMJ 2020; 370.
- Gardener H, Caunca MR. Mediterranean Diet in Preventing Neurodegenerative Diseases. Curr Nutr Rep. 2018 Mar;7(1):10-20.
- Mayo Clinic. DASH diet: Healthy eating to lower your blood pressure. June 25, 2021.
- Mayo Clinic. Water: How much should you drink every day? October 14, 2020.
- Salehi-Abargouei A, Maghsoudi Z, et al. Effects of Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH)-style diet on fatal or nonfatal cardiovascular diseases--incidence: a systematic review and meta-analysis on observational prospective studies. Nutrition. 2013 Apr;29(4):611-8.
- Fung TT, Hu FB, et al. The Mediterranean and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diets and colorectal cancer. Am J Clin Nutr. 2010 Dec;92(6):1429-35.
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