Is the TLC Diet Still Recommended?
You might’ve heard about the TLC diet from your doctor or seen it pop up in health articles. But here’s the thing that confuses a lot of people – is this diet from the 1980s still worth following today? The answer isn’t as simple as yes or no, and that’s exactly what makes this topic so interesting.
The TLC diet has been around for decades, but it’s still making headlines. The TLC diet is one of U.S. News & World Report’s Best Diets of 2025, which sounds pretty impressive! But before you jump on the bandwagon, let’s dig into what experts really think about this eating plan in today’s world.
What Experts Say About TLC Today
The Good News First
Let’s start with the positives because there are quite a few! TLC, which focuses on lowering cholesterol, ranked first in the “Easiest Diets to Follow” and “Best Family-Friendly Diets” categories. That’s no small feat when you’re competing against all the trendy diets out there.
The TLC diet is considered safe and suitable for most people, which is more than we can say for some of the extreme diets floating around social media. And here’s something that might surprise you – research shows that people who follow the TLC diet have pretty decent outcomes in terms of lowering their cholesterol and heart-disease risk.
The diet also gets points for being realistic. One good thing about the TLC is that it doesn’t suggest completely avoiding any foods. This is huge! How many times have you started a diet that banned entire food groups, only to find yourself dreaming about bread or cheese?
But Here’s Where It Gets Tricky
Now for the part that makes things complicated. Though the TLC diet is still recommended, some experts consider aspects of the diet outdated. That’s like saying your favorite restaurant is still good, but maybe some of the recipes need updating.
The biggest issue? The basic premise of the TLC diet is that dietary cholesterol increases your risk of heart disease. But this premise is no longer accurate. Oops! That’s kind of a big deal when it’s one of the main reasons the diet was created.
Many pointed to the fact that some of the science on which this diet is based is outdated, namely its premise that dietary cholesterol impacts blood cholesterol, which has been found to be untrue in the majority of people. So all those years of avoiding eggs might’ve been for nothing!
The Specific Problems Experts Point Out
The Cholesterol Confusion
Remember when eggs were basically the devil? Well, times have changed. Updated research suggests dietary cholesterol doesn’t make a big difference to the amount of cholesterol in the blood. This means all that stress about eating shellfish or egg yolks might’ve been unnecessary.
This is probably the biggest criticism of the TLC diet. When the foundation of your eating plan is based on outdated science, it makes people wonder what else might be wrong.
The Fat and Carb Balance Issue
Here’s another problem that keeps coming up. This diet is too low in total fat and too high in carbohydrates, as the latest research has shown. So, it may raise your blood sugar and triglyceride levels, especially if you aren’t eating the healthy kind of carbs.
That’s not great news if you’re trying to manage diabetes or pre-diabetes. The diet was designed in a time when we thought all fats were bad and all carbs were good. We know better now, but the TLC guidelines haven’t caught up completely.
What Dietitians Recommend Instead
Dietitians instead recommend the Mediterranean diet for many people. This makes sense because the Mediterranean diet has been updated based on current research and doesn’t have the same outdated restrictions.
Current Rankings and Recognition
| Ranking Category | TLC Diet Position | What This Means |
|---|---|---|
| Best Diets Overall 2025 | Top 10 | Still considered effective |
| Easiest Diets to Follow | #1 | Very doable for most people |
| Best Family-Friendly Diets | #1 | Works for the whole household |
| Best Diets for Heart Health | Top 5 | Good for cardiovascular health |
| Best Diets for Weight Loss | Middle tier | Okay but not the best |
| Best Diets for Diabetes | Lower tier | Some concerns about carb levels |
The rankings tell an interesting story. The TLC diet excels in areas like being easy to follow and family-friendly, but it’s not the top choice for weight loss or diabetes management.
Who Should (And Shouldn’t) Consider TLC
TLC Might Work for You If:
You’re looking for a simple, straightforward eating plan that doesn’t require counting calories or cutting out entire food groups. It’s also good if you have high cholesterol and your doctor specifically recommends it. If you are considering making dietary changes to follow it, talk to a healthcare provider or a registered dietitian.
The TLC diet shines when you need something sustainable. It’s not a quick fix, but it’s something you could potentially follow for years without feeling deprived.
You Might Want to Skip TLC If:
You’re dealing with diabetes or pre-diabetes, since the high carb content could be problematic. Also, if you’re looking for rapid weight loss, this probably isn’t your best bet. The diet is more about long-term health than quick results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the TLC diet better than newer diets like keto or Mediterranean? A: It depends on your goals! For ease of following and family-friendliness, TLC wins. But for weight loss or diabetes management, Mediterranean or other approaches might be better. The “best” diet is the one you can stick with long-term.
Q: Should I worry about the outdated science behind TLC? A: It’s worth being aware of, but don’t panic. The core principles of eating more fiber, less saturated fat, and more whole foods are still solid. Just don’t stress too much about dietary cholesterol from eggs or shellfish.
Q: Can I modify the TLC diet to make it more current? A: Absolutely! Many people take the basic framework and adjust it. You might include more healthy fats like avocados and nuts, or be less strict about dietary cholesterol. Work with a dietitian to personalize it.
Q: Why do some rankings still put TLC at the top if it’s outdated? A: Because it works for what it’s designed to do – provide a simple, safe eating plan that most people can follow. The outdated parts don’t make the whole diet bad, just not perfect by today’s standards.
Q: Is TLC still recommended by doctors? A: Some doctors still recommend it, especially for cholesterol management. But many are moving toward Mediterranean-style eating or other approaches. Always ask your doctor about their reasoning and whether there are other options.
The Bottom Line
So, is the TLC diet still recommended? The answer is a cautious yes, with some important caveats. The TLC diet is one of U.S. News & World Report’s Best Diets of 2025, and it consistently ranks well for being easy to follow and family-friendly.
But here’s the thing – just because something is recommended doesn’t mean it’s the best choice for everyone. The TLC diet is like that reliable friend who’s always there for you but might not be the most exciting option at the party.
The diet’s strength lies in its simplicity and sustainability. Though the TLC diet is still recommended, some experts consider aspects of the diet outdated, so it’s not perfect. But for people who want a straightforward approach to eating healthier without jumping through hoops, it’s still a solid choice.
The key is being informed about both the good and the not-so-good aspects. If you’re considering TLC, maybe take the basic framework and work with a healthcare provider to update it based on current research. That way, you get the benefits of the structure without being stuck with outdated rules.
Remember, the best diet is the one you can stick with long-term while meeting your health goals. Whether that’s TLC, Mediterranean, or something else entirely, the choice is yours. Just make sure it’s based on current science and works for your specific situation!
