Editorial Standards & Methodology

Our commitment to accuracy, transparency, and evidence-based content — and how we ensure these standards are met on every page.

Our Scoring Methodology

Every diet reviewed on Dieters.com receives a score out of 10, calculated from 12 weighted criteria:

  1. Nutritional completeness (20%): Does the diet meet recommended daily values for essential nutrients without supplementation?
  2. Scientific evidence quality (20%): Are there randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses supporting the diet's claimed benefits?
  3. Long-term sustainability (15%): What do retention and adherence studies show? Can most people follow this diet for 12+ months?
  4. Weight loss effectiveness (15%): What is the average weight loss at 6 months and 12 months in clinical studies?
  5. Safety profile (10%): Is there risk of micronutrient deficiency, disordered eating triggers, or adverse events?
  6. Cost accessibility (5%): What is the typical monthly cost, and are there free or low-cost options?
  7. Ease of adherence (5%): How much tracking, meal prep, and complexity does the diet require?
  8. Flexibility (3%): Can the diet accommodate vegetarians, food allergies, and cultural dietary preferences?
  9. Hunger and satiety (2%): Does the diet control hunger effectively without excessive restriction?
  10. Medical endorsement (2%): Is the diet endorsed or recommended by major medical organizations?
  11. Environmental impact (2%): What is the environmental footprint of the recommended foods?
  12. Mental health (1%): Does the diet increase or decrease risk of disordered eating behaviors?

Source Standards

We only cite:

  • Peer-reviewed studies published in indexed journals
  • Systematic reviews and meta-analyses when available
  • Guidelines from recognized health organizations (AHA, ADA, AND, NIH)
  • Government nutritional databases (USDA, NIH)

We do not cite: press releases, manufacturer-funded studies without independent replication, or anecdotal testimonials as evidence of efficacy.

Review Process

Every article on Dieters.com goes through a three-stage review:

  1. Medical writer drafting: Articles are written by health writers with nutrition science backgrounds.
  2. RD fact-checking: A registered dietitian reviews all nutritional claims, checks citations, and flags anything that may mislead readers.
  3. Medical review (for clinical topics): Articles covering medications, health conditions, or medical advice are also reviewed by our medical doctor advisor.

Affiliate Policy & Commercial Relationships

Dieters.com earns revenue through affiliate partnerships. When readers click affiliate links and make purchases, we may receive a commission. This is how we fund our independent editorial operation.

Our commercial relationships do not influence our editorial scores or rankings. Diets and programs are scored using our methodology regardless of whether an affiliate relationship exists. Many of our top-ranked options (Mediterranean Diet, DASH Diet, Intermittent Fasting) generate no affiliate revenue.

We disclose affiliate relationships at the top of every page where affiliate links appear, using our standard FTC disclosure.

Update Policy

All diet rankings and major guides are reviewed and updated at minimum every 6 months, or sooner when significant new research is published. The "Last Updated" date shown at the top of each article reflects the most recent substantive review, not just a metadata change.

Corrections Policy

If we publish incorrect information, we correct it promptly and transparently. Significant corrections are noted at the top of the relevant article with a brief description of what was changed and why.