Background <p>One fifth of the global overall mortality (22%) is attributable to an unhealthy diet with processed low-fiber foods and excessive salt consumption.</p> Aim and method <p>Narrative review of conventional diet forms and the integration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) into the treatment of (pre)obesity. The quality of the evidence is assessed using the grading of recommendations assessment, development, and evaluation (GRADE) classification.</p> Results <p>Conventional diets are classified according to three main criteria: (1)&#xa0;macronutrient composition, (2)&#xa0;level of calorie restriction (very low calorie diets, VLCD ≤ 800 kcal/day, low calorie diets, LCD = 800–1500 kcal/day) and (3)&#xa0;time restriction of food intake. Based on two meta-analyses the following top 5&#xa0;ranking of popular conventional diets emerged: 1) Ornish diet (−9.03 kg; GRADE moderate), 2) zone diet (−8.44 kg; GRADE moderate), 3) Jenny Craig diet (−7.77 kg; GRADE high), 4) volumetrics diet (−5.95 kg; GRADE moderate) and 5) Atkins diet (−5.46 kg/−10.14 kg; GRADE moderate. Caveat: contraindications of a ketogenic diet and cardiovascular comorbidities). Successful weight loss can be achieved with all diets. The LCDs are recommended primarily for “simple” (pre)obesity and existing fatty liver disease, while low-fat diets are indicated for cardiovascular comorbidities and dyslipidemia. Overall, preference should be given to unprocessed, high-fiber and predominantly plant-based foods. In comparison, alternate day fasting has prevailed in category&#xa0;(3). Erythritol, lactitol, maltitol and isomalt are actually best suited as sweeteners due to their prebiotic effects. Apart from the TCM-based diet according to the 5&#xa0;elements, acupuncture can be used in addition to (V)LCDs to ensure sustainable weight regulation.</p> Discussion <p>In (pre)obesity multimodal treatment concepts incorporating TCM are useful for maintaining weight after initial weight loss.</p>