A recent roundup by U.S. News & World Report asked experts to rank diets and paleo–a lifestyle and diet I use and endorse–last.

From CNN:

 Followers of the Paleo Diet may go prehistoric on U.S. News & World Report this week. The publication has ranked the controversial diet last on its “Best Diets Overall” list for 2014.

Each year, U.S. News & World Report asks experts to rank various nutrition plans to help consumers make informed decisions. This year the panel evaluated 32 of the most popular diets.

To be top-rated, a diet has to be relatively easy to follow, nutritious, safe, effective for weight loss and protective against diabetes and heart disease.

First popularized in the 1970s, the Paleo Diet asks people to follow a diet similar to those who lived during the Paleolithic era, between 2.6 million and 10,000 years ago. This means eating like hunters and gathers — consuming lots of produce and animal protein, while avoiding sugar, grains, legumes and dairy altogether.

The reason for such a low ranking was not due to it’s ineffectiveness, but because experts say it’s not sustainable long term. I’m puzzled by this. I’ve been slowly evolving (no pun intended) into paleo over the last year and it’s been amazing for me and wholly sustainable. I have been practicing paleo, along with a twice-weekly yoga class and at 40, I’m in the best shape of my life.

I eat lean meats, nuts, fruit, greens and…this isn’t sustainable? Oh. And I’m growing my own organic vegetables.

carrots, kale, lettuce, beets, cilantro, broccoli, spinach, green onions, radish…

I just don’t get it. Not eating bread, rice and processed food is just too hard to keep up? I don’t count calories or worry about fat intake. I am NEVER hungry. To be fair, perhaps it’s because it does require a little bit of relearning and a few cookbooks. My suggestion: Practical Paleo: A Customized Approach to Health and a Whole Foods Lifestyle. For a complete list of popular paleo cookbooks, click here.

And just so I don’t feel too restricted, I have a cheat day–usually a Saturday when our family goes out to dinner. But as I continue on my journey, my cravings become less and less, so that even on cheat days I have little desire for bread and rice.