What Is the Most Popular Diet Right Now?

October 25, 2025 •

3 min read

For the seventh consecutive year, the Mediterranean diet has been named the best overall diet by U.S. News & World Report, though other trends also contend for the title of what is the most popular diet right now. While popularity can be measured by expert consensus, social media buzz, or search volumes, several eating patterns consistently lead the pack.

Quick Summary

The most popular diets include the expert-backed Mediterranean and DASH diets, alongside trendy patterns like Intermittent Fasting and the ketogenic diet. Plant-based eating continues to gain significant traction among consumers for both health and ethical reasons.

Key Points

Mediterranean Dominance: The Mediterranean diet is consistently ranked by experts as the top overall choice for long-term health and sustainability.
Intermittent Fasting Surge: As an eating pattern, Intermittent Fasting is highly popular for weight loss and simplicity, focusing on when you eat.
Keto's Mixed Popularity: The ketogenic diet is popular for fast, short-term weight loss but is considered unsustainable and ranked lower for overall health by experts.
Plant-Based Ascendancy: Driven by health, ethical, and environmental reasons, plant-based diets (including Flexitarian and Vegan) are a major and growing trend.
Prioritize Sustainability: The most effective and popular diets, according to experts, are those that can be maintained as a healthy lifestyle rather than a temporary fix.
Consult Experts: Personalized advice from a doctor or registered dietitian is essential for determining the right eating plan for your individual needs and health status.

Navigating the 2025 Diet Landscape

Diet culture is constantly evolving, with new trends and popular eating patterns emerging each year. However, according to health experts, the most popular and beneficial diets are often those that are sustainable and focus on whole foods. The metrics for popularity vary widely, from expert rankings and medical studies to online search data and social media trends. Understanding these different measures is key to figuring out what people are actually following versus what is simply generating buzz.

The Mediterranean Diet: A Consistent Champion

Expert panels consistently rank the Mediterranean diet highly for general health and long-term sustainability. Based on traditional eating habits in countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea, it emphasizes daily consumption of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes, along with healthy fats like olive oil. Fish and seafood are encouraged at least twice weekly, while red meat and added sugars are limited. This diet is less restrictive and more of a lifestyle praised for its nutritional completeness and proven benefits in reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers.

The Rise of Intermittent Fasting (IF)

Intermittent Fasting has seen a massive surge in popularity, focusing on when you eat rather than what. The popular 16/8 method involves an 8-hour eating window and a 16-hour fast. Benefits proponents cite include potential weight loss, improved cellular repair, and better blood sugar control. However, potential drawbacks like headaches and hunger exist, and long-term effects are still being studied.

The Ketogenic Diet: A High-Fat, Low-Carb Contender

The keto diet is popular for fast weight loss by severely limiting carbohydrates, forcing the body to burn fat for fuel in a state called ketosis. It emphasizes high healthy fats and adequate protein. While effective for short-term weight loss, experts raise concerns about its restrictive nature, potential nutrient deficiencies, and long-term adherence.

The Expanding Plant-Based Movement

Driven by health, environmental, and ethical reasons, plant-based eating continues to grow. This includes strict vegan diets and more flexible approaches like the flexitarian diet. The trend is shifting towards whole, plant-forward foods over processed alternatives. Benefits include reduced risk of chronic diseases and positive environmental impact.

Diet Popularity: Expert Consensus vs. Search Trends


Feature	Mediterranean Diet	Intermittent Fasting (IF)	Ketogenic (Keto) Diet	Plant-Based (Vegan/Flexitarian)
Expert Ranking	Top Overall (U.S. News)	Variable, often cited for weight loss	Low Overall, high for fast weight loss	High (Flexitarian ranks #5)
Focus	Whole foods, balance	Timing of eating	Low-carb, high-fat	Whole plants, fiber
Primary Goal	General health, longevity	Weight loss, metabolic health	Rapid weight loss	Health, ethics, environment
Sustainability	Very High	Moderate to High	Low (very restrictive)	High (especially Flexitarian)
Ease of Use	Easy to follow	Simple concept, but challenging for some	Difficult due to restrictions	Moderate to Easy (Flexitarian)

Conclusion: Personalizing Your Approach

So, what is the most popular diet right now? The answer is complex. While the Mediterranean diet consistently holds the crown in terms of expert recommendations for overall health and sustainability, Intermittent Fasting, keto, and plant-based diets are undeniably popular for their specific benefits, whether for weight loss or ethical reasons. Ultimately, the 'best' diet is one that you can sustain long-term and that aligns with your personal health goals and lifestyle. Consulting a healthcare professional before starting any new regimen is always recommended. For more expert insights and rankings, consider reviewing the annual U.S. News & World Report Best Diets list.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, while not explicitly a weight-loss diet, numerous studies show that the Mediterranean diet can promote weight loss due to its emphasis on minimally processed foods and healthy fats. Its sustainable nature also makes it effective for long-term weight management.

The 16/8 method is a type of intermittent fasting where you restrict your daily eating to an 8-hour window and fast for the remaining 16 hours. For example, you might eat between 12 PM and 8 PM and fast overnight until noon the next day.

Some experts do not recommend the keto diet for general health because of its highly restrictive nature and potential for nutrient imbalances from eliminating many nutritious food groups, including fruits and whole grains. It is often difficult to sustain long-term.

A vegan diet completely excludes all animal products, including meat, dairy, and eggs. A flexitarian diet is a semi-vegetarian approach that is primarily plant-based but allows for the occasional consumption of meat and animal products.

Yes, there are several popular apps designed to help with intermittent fasting, such as Zero Fasting Tracker, Fastient, and Fast Habit. These apps can help track your fasting periods and eating windows.

Although the DASH diet was designed primarily to help treat or prevent high blood pressure, many people also report losing weight on it. Studies show it can lead to increased weight loss compared to control diets.

Yes, industry insights for 2024 indicate a shift towards more 'real' plant-based foods, such as legumes, nuts, and vegetables, rather than highly processed, lab-produced meat alternatives.