The New Year often serves as a wake-up call for people wanting to healthier after spending the holiday months indulging in some of their favorite foods. With that in mind, the U.S. News and World Report had an expert panel review more than 40 eating plans and then ranked the 20 best diets of 2021 to help people “lose weight and improve your overall health.” Here's the highlights of the top three.

Mediterranean diet: This heart-healthy, plant-focused eating plan was ranked as the best overall diet. The Mediterranean diet is high in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds, and olive oil, according to the Mayo Clinic. Fish, poultry, eggs, and beans are eaten on a weekly basis along with a moderate amount of dairy products, while red meat is limited. Unlike many diets, red wine is also allowed, in moderation.

DASH diet: Like the Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet — which stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension — also focuses on improving heart health. The meal plan, which is based on studies sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), includes eating a variety of vegetables, fruits and whole grains, along with fat-free or low-fat dairy products, fish, poultry, beans, nuts and vegetable oils, according to the NHLBI. Foods that are high in saturated fat, including full-fat dairy products and fatty meats, are limited on the meal plan, along with sweets and sugar-sweetened beverages.

Flexitarian diet: The Flexitarian eating plan, which was created by dietitian Dawn Jackson Blatner, consists of following a vegetarian diet most of the time — namely, eating a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, legumes and whole grains. However, you can still have some meat-based foods on occasion, while also limiting added sugar and sweets. You don’t have to cut out the foods you love — you just need to focus on being vegetarian more. By encouraging people to eat more plant-based meals and consume less meat, they can help lower the risk for heart disease.