Background: Thousands of publications in recent years have addressed the induction of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in rodents, however, the criteria and the reference values for diagnosing this disease have not been defined. Objective: Our main objetive was to carry out a systematic review to gather evidence about the criteria for biochemical and anthropometric parameters in which scientific studies have relied to report that rats developed MetS from a previous dietary manipulation. Methods: We compiled characteristics and findings of diet induced MetS with high-fat, high-carbohydrate, high-fat/high-carbohydrates and cafeteria diet from PubMed and Science Direct databases published in the last 5 years. Results: The results on the principal determinants for the syndrome, published in the reviewed articles, were chosen to propose reference values in the rat models of food induction. Conclusion: The values obtained will serve as reference cut-of points in the development of the disease; in addition, the compilation of data will be useful in planning and executing research protocols in animal models.