Diet pattern type or name and macronutrient distribution (% of daily calorie intake)	General principles and evidence
Counting macronutrients  No specific macronutrient distribution	Macronutrient distribution ratios vary within a total daily energy goal to meet body composition goals, including decreased overall weight, increased muscle mass, or decreased body fat percentage Common among athletes
Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH)  Protein: ~15%  Carbohydrate: ~55% to 60%  Fat: ≤ 21% to 30%	Daily consumption of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lower-fat or fat-free dairy products; and limited discretionary calories from added sugar and saturated fats Emphasis on sodium restriction (up to 1,500 mg to 2,300 mg total daily) Moderate- to low-certainty evidence for improved weight loss and cardiovascular risk markers
Healthy Mediterranean diet pattern  Protein: ~15%  Carbohydrate: ~55% to 60%  Fat: ≤ 21% to 30%	Daily intake of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds, and olive oil Weekly intake of fish, beans, eggs, poultry Moderate dairy intake Light to moderate alcohol intake Limited red meat as a protein source Lifestyle focus on sharing meals with others, remaining physically active Moderate- to low-certainty evidence for improved weight loss and cardiovascular risk markers Long-term cardiovascular benefit of reduced serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; may also decrease development of chronic disease such as cardiovascular disease, some cancers, depression, diabetes mellitus, and obesity
Healthy vegetarian diet  Protein: 10% to 15%  Carbohydrate: ~60%  Fat: ≤ 20%	Emphasis on whole food choices: vegetables, fruit, nuts, seeds, beans, legumes, grains, healthy plant-based fats, and proteins Moderate- to low-certainty evidence for improved weight loss and markers of cardiovascular risk
Intermittent fasting and time-restricted eating  No specific macronutrient distribution	Patients generally fast anywhere from 12 to 24 consecutive hours 16-hour fast and 8-hour eating period (most common) With equal daily calorie intake, there is no significant difference between intermittent fasting and calorie restriction with consistent mealtimes
Ketogenic diet (extremely low-carbohydrate/high-fat diet)  Protein: 20%  Carbohydrate: 5%  Fat: 75%	Goal is to mimic a fasting state and induce constant ketosis, which may cause adverse health effects Moderate- to low-certainty evidence for improved weight loss, blood pressure, blood glucose, and insulin control Limited evidence for long-term effectiveness
Low-carbohydrate/high-fat diets (e.g., Atkins, South Beach, Zone)  Protein: ~30%  Carbohydrate: 40%  Fat: 30% to 55%	Limited fruit and vegetable intake Emphasis on fat and protein intake Unsaturated fats preferred, but difficult to limit saturated fats to ≤ 10% in this diet pattern
Low-fat/high-carbohydrate diet (also called traditional calorie or energy restriction diet [e.g., Ornish, Rosemary Conley])  Protein: 10% to 15%  Carbohydrate: ~60%  Fat: ≤ 20%	In very low-fat/high-carbohydrate diets, fat intake is further restricted to ≤ 15% of daily calorie intake) Limited unsaturated and trans fats Moderate- to low-certainty evidence for improved weight loss and markers of cardiovascular risk
Paleolithic diet  Protein: 15% to 30%  Carbohydrate: 40% to 60%  Fat: 20% to 55%	Emphasis on whole food choices including vegetables, fruit, nuts, seeds, meat, fish, herbs, spices, and healthy fat Restricts grains, legumes, processed foods, sugar, soft drinks, most dairy products, artificial sweeteners, vegetable oils, margarine, and trans fats Neither the most effective nor least effective popular diet intervention for weight loss based on a small number of studies with high- or moderate-certainty evidence
Points-based diets (e.g., Weight Watchers)  Protein: ~15%  Carbohydrate: ~55% to 60%  Fat: ≤ 21% to 30%	Some diets assign points to various foods or assign foods into different categories Moderate- to low-certainty evidence for improved weight loss and markers of cardiovascular risk