American Heart Association Ranks Diets, Vegan Falls Short
The American Heart Association (AHA) recently released its 2020 Diet Rankings, which evaluates the healthfulness of various diets. The rankings are based on the AHA’s scientific evidence-based nutrition guidelines, which are designed to help people make healthier food choices. The rankings are divided into three categories: “Best Diets Overall,” “Best Diets for Weight Loss,” and “Best Diets for Heart Health.”
The AHA’s “Best Diets Overall” category includes the Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet, and the Flexitarian diet. The Mediterranean diet is a plant-based diet that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and healthy fats. The DASH diet is a low-sodium diet that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products. The Flexitarian diet is a semi-vegetarian diet that emphasizes plant-based foods, but allows for occasional consumption of animal products.
The AHA’s “Best Diets for Weight Loss” category includes the Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet, the Flexitarian diet, and the Weight Watchers diet. The Weight Watchers diet is a points-based system that encourages healthy eating habits and portion control.
The AHA’s “Best Diets for Heart Health” category includes the Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet, and the Ornish diet. The Ornish diet is a plant-based diet that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and healthy fats.
Unfortunately, the AHA’s rankings do not include a vegan diet. While vegan diets can be healthy, they can also be unhealthy if they are not properly planned. Vegans need to make sure they are getting enough protein, iron, calcium, and other essential nutrients.
Why Did the AHA Not Rank a Vegan Diet?
The AHA did not rank a vegan diet because there is not enough scientific evidence to support its healthfulness. While vegan diets can be healthy, they can also be unhealthy if they are not properly planned. Vegans need to make sure they are getting enough protein, iron, calcium, and other essential nutrients.
What Are the Benefits of a Vegan Diet?
A vegan diet can have many health benefits, including weight loss, improved heart health, and a reduced risk of certain diseases. Vegans also tend to consume more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, which are all important for a healthy diet.
What Are the Risks of a Vegan Diet?
A vegan diet can be unhealthy if it is not properly planned. Vegans need to make sure they are getting enough protein, iron, calcium, and other essential nutrients. Vegans also need to be aware of potential nutrient deficiencies, such as vitamin B12, which is only found in animal products.
FAQs
Q: What is the American Heart Association’s 2020 Diet Rankings?
A: The American Heart Association’s 2020 Diet Rankings evaluates the healthfulness of various diets. The rankings are based on the AHA’s scientific evidence-based nutrition guidelines, which are designed to help people make healthier food choices. The rankings are divided into three categories: “Best Diets Overall,” “Best Diets for Weight Loss,” and “Best Diets for Heart Health.”
Q: Why did the AHA not rank a vegan diet?
A: The AHA did not rank a vegan diet because there is not enough scientific evidence to support its healthfulness. While vegan diets can be healthy, they can also be unhealthy if they are not properly planned. Vegans need to make sure they are getting enough protein, iron, calcium, and other essential nutrients.
Q: What are the benefits of a vegan diet?
A: A vegan diet can have many health benefits, including weight loss, improved heart health, and a reduced risk of certain diseases. Vegans also tend to consume more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, which are all important for a healthy diet.
Brilliant Mic The Vegan. As always. Thanks a lot!
"Oh, there are thousands scientific proofs that wholefood veganism is the best for cardiovascular health? Well, let us smash it down the ranking with ridiculous excuses like that it's hard to eat at restaurants."
The amount of intellectual dishonesty in this AHA ranking is disgusting. Wake up, people!
I have to say though, if they say "vegan" diet then they might have a point, I know plenty of vegan friends that follow a terrible diet…"vegan whole food plant based diet" then it's a different story
8:00
u take it since 2001? how old r u? did u start taking them at age like 13 or what? 😳
Ovo-Lacto over vegan…..for health…..total madness! Cows milk is a killer and eggs are just cholesterol bombs.
We already know their supported by the meat industry.
The American Heart Association is just a joke at this stage.
I've been low fat vegan for nearly 30yrs. So adherence is great 😉 I'm happy my total cholesterol level is 132mg/dl and my ldl is 54mg/dl at last test. Mt bmi is 21 and mt blood sugar HbA1c is 26mmol/mol(4.5% in US units- under 6 is normal from memory). I work a very physical job and am a cyclist too btw.
I just like to think of the whole food plant based diet as a mediteranian diet but with omega 3 supplements as a substitute to fish and well ofcourse oils as a substitute to meat fat and plant milks as a substitute to dairy (for it's calcium mostly).
So in my eyes, vegan diet should also be at the same ranking as mediteranian if done right.
American Hack Association
I only use coconut oil and olive oil, am I safe?
yes, follow the money. they are so wrong
The AHA did not put their heart into the study that is the problem.
Their results meat my expectations to keep the sponsors happy (meat,dairy , egg industry).
They need to specify the type of vegan diet.
Whole food plant based with minimal processed foods and oils is what should be at the top,and no coconut or palm oil.
Thank you for your tremendous work, Mike
😅 👌👍
Good grief, they gave their own low sodium DASH diet full marks, but they marked down a vegan diet because "it could be challenging to follow long-term or when eating out". On what planet is the DASH diet easy to follow when eating out? Restaurants and fast food joints are notorious for piling on the sodium before it gets to the table.
Omg “ALRIGHT NOW THIS IS WHERE IM GETTING FRUSTRATED😠” 😂😭
American heart association is in bed with big pharma. More and more people realize they do not have the people's heath in mind.
Was the report and the ranking only on who does what? Are there missing the outcomes?
In which group the rate of heart diseases is higher /lower?
This review by the AHA appears at best very ignorant and at worst highly dishonest.
Mediterranean diet always ranks as one of the best 👌
"Adherence", described as ones tendency to stick to a diet based on restaurant options, has precisely zero to do with that diets effect on heart health. What a crock of shit
I seriously had no idea about the “partnership” between the AHA and the beef industry. For that reason alone, this was a great video. And yes, you can eat vegan at Taco Bell, I do that twice a week.