We are just two days into 2019, but already the best diet of the year has been named. US News and World Report listed the Mediterranean diet as the best overall diet for 2019 [1] after evaluating 41 of the most popular diets. It was also named best diabetes diet, best diet for healthy eating, best plant-based diet, best heart-healthy diet, and easiest diet to follow.

The Mediterranean diet taking the top spot should come as no surprise. US News and World Report ranked the Mediterranean diet and the DASH diet as the best overall diets for 2018 [2], and this mostly plant-based diet has been proven to help you lose weight [3], live longer [4], reduce risk of heart disease [5], and boost brain health [6].

Rich in low-starch vegetables, fruit, healthy fats (mostly from olives and olive oil), nuts, seeds, whole grains, legumes, and fish, the Mediterranean diet eschews simple sugars and refined starches and is low in red meat. Interested in embarking on the diet for yourself? Read through to see a Mediterranean diet shopping list, what it's like to be on the diet, and why it's so easy to follow.

Mediterranean Diet 101: How to Follow It

Looking for the basics of the Mediterranean diet? This post breaks down what you can and can't eat on the plan [7] and how to follow it.

Mediterranean Diet Shopping List

From healthy fats to produce to protein sources, this gallery includes a full shopping list [8] of the foods you need for the Mediterranean diet.

Mediterranean Diet Meal Plan

Looking for meal inspo? Mix and match meals from this Mediterranean diet meal plan [9] to follow the diet and stay on track.

What 1 Week on the Diet Is Like

After following the Mediterranean diet for a week [10], one editor declared, "I highly recommend the Mediterranean diet to anyone looking to eat better without having to make a complete diet transformation."