A diet named after a hit reality TV show is currently the number one fastest weight loss program according to US News & World Report.
The popular US website has just released its annual diet rankings based on different categories such as best diets for healthy eating, diabetes, heart, plant based, and the easiest to follow.
The Biggest Loser Diet earned the first spot in the Best Fast Weight Loss Diet, as well as diabetes, where it ranked second, and overall weight loss, where it garnered third place. Completing the list in the Fast Weight Loss category are HMR Program and Atkins diet.
According to the judges, which included Kathie Beals, PhD, RD, an associate professor of University of Utah Salt Lake City Nutrition Division, the Biggest Loser Diet scored 3.6 out of 5, with the highest points in being healthy and short-term weight loss.
The diet, which promises weight loss within six weeks, relies on different books that follow the same principles. These include incorporating more physical activity into the lifestyle, bulking up on fruits and vegetables for filling calories, eating lean proteins and whole grains, exercising portion control, and monitoring eating habits with a journal. The diet books also feature success stories from previous Biggest Loser participants, hence the name.
Menu is based on a distinct food pyramid, where a typical meal plan is composed of four servings of fruits and vegetables, three servings of lean protein, and two servings of whole grains. The rest, which makes up for less than 200 calories, can be set aside for extras like desserts.
The experts cited the diet's solid nutrition as one of its strongest selling points along with the chance to eat any type of food as long as it's permissible.
However, it suffered from being less easy to follow and on the pricey side.