What should we eat?
Mostly vegetables. Veggies of all kinds and colors, including salads and other leafy greens, are loaded with various types of phytonutrients and antioxidants that are essential to healthy living. Many recent studies have shown that people who eat more vegetables and other plant-based foods — such as beans, whole grains, fruits, and nuts — tend to have lower rates of heart disease and other chronic health issues than those who mainly consume animal-based products like meat and cheese. But researchers have also recently discovered that fat, maligned for more than 40 years as the leading cause of weight gain and high cholesterol, can also be part of a healthy diet. “Americans were told to cut back on fat to lose weight and prevent heart disease,” says Dr. David Ludwig, an obesity specialist at Boston Children’s Hospital. Today, “there’s an overwhelmingly strong case to be made for the opposite.”
Can fat really be good for us?
Yes, but not all fats are created equal. Foods like beans, nuts, and fish, which are rich in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, are strongly linked to good cardiovascular health. But several recent studies found that even the saturated fats in red meat, butter, and cheese can be consumed in moderation, and that foods high in cholesterol do not raise cholesterol levels in most people.
Thanks for adding value here Debra!
Good article. I always recommend more vegetables. Whether you’re vegan
or Paleo the major part of your diet should be vegetables.