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Its no secret that many American adults have a poor diet. According to the Food and Drug Administration, one million Americans die every year from diet-related diseases. But a new study got into the nitty gritty of how our nations diet quality has changed over the past two decades, and how diet quality changes among communities and why.

The study, which was published in Annals of Internal Medicine, looks at data from 10 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 1999 and 2020. In the survey, the participants 51,703 of them reported all the food and beverages they ate and drank in a 24-hour period.

The researchers a team based at the Food is Medicine Institute at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University measured diet quality using the American Heart Associations diet score. They found that there were less adults with poor dietary quality over the two decades (48.8 percent to 36.7 percent). However the number of adults with intermediate diet quality increased from 50.6 percent to 61.1 percent. Only a small proportion of adults had an ideal diet.

Researchers found that improved diet could be attributed to specific factors, such as higher intakes of nuts/seeds, whole grains, poultry, cheese, and eggs. Better diet also included lower consumption of both refined grains and drinks with added sugar as well as less consumption of fruit juice and milk.

Overall, the researchers concluded that diet quality among U.S. adults improved modestly during the time period. However, these changes were not consistent across groups. Young adults, women, Hispanic adults, and people with higher levels of education, income, food security, and access to private health insurance had better diet quality. This demonstrates that there are still major diet disparitiesones that could be worsening in marginalized communities.

While some improvement, especially lower consumption of added sugar and fruit drinks, is encouraging to see, we still have a long way to go, especially for people from marginalized communities and backgrounds, Junxiu Liu, a postdoctoral scholar at the Friedman School at the time of the study and now assistant professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, said in a press release.

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The Standard American Diet Hasn't Changed Much In the Last Two Decades - Inverse

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Poor diet continues to take a toll on American adults. Its a major risk factor for obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers, and more than one million Americans die every year from diet-related diseases,according to the Food and Drug Administration.

Poor diet and food insecurity is also costly, attributing to anestimated $1.1 trillion in healthcare expenditures and lost productivity. These burdens also contribute to major health disparities by income, education, zip code, race, and ethnicity.

In a study from the Food is Medicine Institute at theFriedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts Universitypublished today in theAnnals of Internal Medicine, researchers found that diet quality among U.S. adults improved modestly between 1999 and 2020. However, they also found that the number of Americans with poor diet quality remains stubbornly high. Most notably, disparities persist and, in some cases, are worsening.

While weve seen some modest improvement in American diets in the last two decades, those improvements are not reaching everyone, and many Americans are eating worse, saysDariush Mozaffarian, cardiologist and director of the Food is Medicine Institute, and senior author on the study.

Our new research shows that the nation cant achieve nutritional and health equity until we address the barriers many Americans face when it comes to accessing and eating nourishing food. -Dariush Mozaffarian, MD, DrPH

In the study, researchers investigated data from 10 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 1999 and 2020, a nationally representative survey that includes repeated 24-hour dietary recalls, where people report all foods and beverages consumed during the priorday. The study analyzed 51,703 adults who completed at least one valid 24-hour recall, with 72.6% having done two recalls.

Read More at TuftsNow

Link:
American Diets Have a Long Way to Go to Achieve Health Equity | Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy - Friedman School of Nutrition Science...

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These are his confessions.

Usher revealed his daily diet and exercise regimen to maintain his fit physique, which includes fasting on Wednesdays, cayenne pepper drinks and meditation.

Typically I wake up and drink celery juice. Ive been doing this concoction of lemon, ginger, water and cayenne pepper. I drink it hot, he told the Wall Street Journal in a new interview published Monday.

I try to wake up early enough to have a moment of reflection. Some days I may grab a book and read to stimulate my mind. I may sit quietly and meditate. One thing that is a frequent practice is yoga. It really does help to activate my organs and get my mind moving in the right direction.

For breakfast, the U Got It Bad singer, 45, said he sometimes likes to eat eggs scrambled with cheese but he mostly likes his eggs poached or over easy.

However, Usher shared that he doesnt like to eat breakfast before hes worked out or done something physical, like taking a walk, stretching or doing yoga, sitting in the sun and raising my bodys natural heat levels.

The eight-time Grammy winner also said he fasts in the middle of the week because its something his grandmother practiced.

Start your day with Page Six Daily.

I fast on Wednesdays. I typically try to start around 11 p.m. the previous day, then go the entire day on Wednesday just drinking water, he told the outlet.

As for what Ushers fitness regime involves, the pop star usually starts with walking or certain knee activations.

Ive had minor surgeries on my knee, I had a torn meniscus. Other than that, swimming is a really good thing to get me going and bike riding. Weight lifting, dont do a lot of that, he explained.

In February, Usher headlined the 2024 Super Bowl in Las Vegas.

During his 15-minute set, he performed a plethora of his hits song, including My Boo, OMG and Yeah!

Although the Confessions singer made it look easy on stage, he told WSJ that the halftime show was one of the hardest 15 minutes that Ill ever have in my life and that he had to work out every day to execute the show the way he wanted to.

I didnt really have the time to do a lot of other things, he said. I was remedying my body the night before and waking up the next day and eating a very regimented, low-carb diet.

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Usher reveals daily diet, exercise regimen to maintain fit physique: Cayenne pepper drinks, meditation, no food on ... - Page Six

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PHILADELPHIANoting that the quiet, intense individual clearly came to win, locals at Gelmans Tap reported Wednesday that a foreign guy was slamming Diet Cokes and dominating the pool table. Im not exactly sure who that guy is, but he doesnt speak much English, he got here exactly when the place opened at six, and he hasnt relinquished the table since, said customer Joey Shattuck, adding that the man paid only in cash, refused to drink a drop of alcohol, and repeatedly screamed at himself in a Baltic-sounding language whenever he missed a ball. He pointed his stick at me, chugged an entire Diet Coke, and proceeded to sink every single ball without saying another word. I think the whole game lasted about two minutes. I still dont know his name. At press time, patrons had reportedly decided to move on to playing darts after the foreign guy looked at everyone, slapped a $20 bill on the table, and asked if they wanted to start betting money.

Nations White Liberals Announce They Have Successfully Completed Listening

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Foreign Guy Slamming Diet Cokes At Bar Absolutely Dominating Pool Table - The Onion

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Poor American diets remain a significant issue in the United States, contributing to obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers.

According to the Food and Drug Administration, more than one million Americans die each year from diet-related diseases.

The financial impact is also substantial, with an estimated $1.1 trillion spent on healthcare and lost productivity due to poor diet and food insecurity.

These issues disproportionately affect individuals based on income, education, zip code, race, and ethnicity highlighting significant health disparities.

A recent study from the Food is Medicine Institute at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy reveals some progress.

The research shows that diet quality among U.S. adults improved modestly between 1999 and 2020. However, the number of Americans with poor diet quality remains high, and disparities in diet quality persist.

While weve seen some modest improvement in American diets in the last two decades, those improvements are not reaching everyone, and many Americans are eating worse, said study senior author Dariush Mozaffarian, cardiologist and director of the Food is Medicine Institute.

Our new research shows that the nation cant achieve nutritional and health equity until we address the barriers many Americans face when it comes to accessing and eating nourishing food.

The study analyzed data from 10 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted between 1999 and 2020. This includes repeated 24-hour dietary recalls from 51,703 adults, with 72.6% completing two recalls.

Diet quality was measured using the American Heart Association diet score, which evaluates the consumption of fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, whole grains, sugary beverages, and processed meat.

The results showed that the proportion of adults with poor diet quality decreased from 48.8% to 36.7% over the two decades, while those with intermediate diet quality increased from 50.6% to 61.1%. The percentage of adults with an ideal diet remained very low but still improved, increasing from 0.66% to 1.58%.

The study noted specific changes contributing to these trends, such as increased consumption of nuts, seeds, whole grains, poultry, cheese, and eggs.

Conversely, there was a decrease in the intake of refined grains, sugary drinks, fruit juice, and milk. However, the overall consumption of fruits and vegetables, fish, processed meat, potassium, and sodium remained stable.

The improvements in diet quality were not evenly distributed across the population. The greatest gains were seen among younger adults, women, Hispanic adults, and those with higher education, income, food security, and private health insurance.

Conversely, older adults, men, Black adults, and individuals with lower education, income, food insecurity, or non-private health insurance saw smaller improvements.

For instance, the proportion of adults with poor diet quality decreased from 51.8% to 47.3% among those with lower income, from 50.0% to 43.0% among those with middle income, and from 45.7% to 29.9% among those with higher income.

While some improvement, especially lower consumption of added sugar and fruit drinks, is encouraging to see, we still have a long way to go, especially for people from marginalized communities and backgrounds, noted Junxiu Liu, the studys first author and former postdoctoral scholar at the Friedman School, now assistant professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

The research underscores the ongoing national nutrition crisis related to American diets, with rising rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes.

These conditions affect all Americans but are particularly prevalent among socioeconomically and geographically vulnerable populations.

Mozaffarian emphasizes the need to address nutrition security and other social determinants of health including housing, transportation, fair wages, and structural racism to mitigate the human and economic costs of poor diets.

The journey toward achieving health equity through improved diets is ongoing. While there are signs of progress, much work remains to ensure that all Americans have access to nutritious food and the opportunity to lead healthy lives.

The study is published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine.

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New research might make some consumers think twice before ordering a Quarter Pounder with Cheese. Findings from the University of Colorado suggest high-fat diets may fuel anxiety.

A study found that a high-fat diet disrupts gut bacteria and, through the complex pathway connecting the gut to the brain, influences brain chemicals in ways that trigger anxiety.

Everyone knows that these arent healthy foods, but we tend to think about them strictly in terms of a little weight gain, noted Christopher Lowry, a Colorado physiology professor. If you understand that [overly fatty foods] also impact your brain in a way that can promote anxiety, that makes the stakes even higher.

The typical American diet is about 36% fat, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Colorado researchers divided rats into two groups for their study, with half receiving a diet of about 11% fat for nine weeks; the others got a high-fat diet of 45% fat consisting mostly of saturated fat. Throughout the study, researchers assessed the animals gut bacteria.

When compared to the control group, the group of rats eating a high-fat diet gained weight. And, the animals also showed significantly less diversity of gut bacteria. Generally speaking, more bacterial diversity is associated with better health.

The high-fat group of rats also showed higher expression of genes involved in production of serotonin particularly in a region of the brainstem which is associated with stress and anxiety. While serotonin has been termed a feel-good brain chemical, Colorado researchers note that certain subsets of serotonin neurons can, when activated, prompt anxiety-like responses.

To think that just a high-fat diet could alter expression of these genes in the brain is extraordinary, Lowry said.

Colorado researchers suspect that an unhealthy microbiome compromised the gut lining, enabling bacteria to slip into the bodys circulation and communicate with the brain via the vagus nerve, a pathway from the GI tract to the brain.

If you think about human evolution, it makes sense, Lowry said. Were hard-wired to really notice things that make us sick so we can avoid those things in the future.

Get to know the men and women behind the scenes of foodservice distribution in a new, limited series from The Food Institute Podcast called Foodservice Gamechangers. Recently, Pat Mulhern, advisor to The Food Institute, sat down for brief conversations with seven of the most influential foodservice merchandising and distribution leaders. Highlighting their food career journeys and management styles, the conversations feature insightful thoughts on what may lie ahead for manufacturers, distributors, and operators in foodservice.

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High-Fat Diets Linked to Anxiety - Food Institute Blog

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If you have high blood pressure or are at risk of developing high blood pressure, you may want to follow the Mediterranean diet. Due to its emphasis on nutrient-rich fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats, this popular way of eating is linked to many health benefits, including improved heart health and lower blood pressure. In this seven-day Mediterranean meal plan, we map out a week of meals and snacks tailored to help improve blood pressure. While we emphasize plenty of fresh produce, we dont skimp on protein. Youll find a wide variety of protein sources spread throughout each day to help keep you full and provide lasting energy. If you have high blood pressure or are simply looking to up your nutrition, this meal plan can help.

Registered dietitians thoughtfully createEatingWellsmeal plans to be easy-to-follow and delicious. Each meal plan meets specific parameters depending on the health condition and/or lifestyle goal it is targeting and is analyzed for accuracy using the nutrition database, ESHA Food Processor. As nutritional needs differ from person to person, we encourage you to use these plans as inspiration and adjust as you see fit.

The American Heart Association endorses the Mediterranean diet as a nutritious way of eating that aligns with their recommendation for a heart-healthy eating pattern. The diet doesnt set rigid rules, which makes it easier to adopt as a lifestyle compared to stricter plans. It includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes as well as poultry, fish, dairy and nuts. It limits added sugars, refined grains and highly processed meats.

To support healthy blood pressure, this meal plan provides at least 28 daily grams of heart-healthy fiber, caps sodium at 1,500 milligrams per day and limits saturated fat to no more than 12 grams per day, with a higher cap of 17 grams of saturated fat on days that include fatty fish, like salmon. Each day includes at least 80 grams of protein, with most days coming in much higher.

Because weight loss may help improve blood pressure in some people, we set this plan at 1,500 calories per day, which is a level where many people will experience weight loss. For those with other calorie needs, we also included modifications for 1,200 and 2,000 calories per day.

Yes! This meal plan is meant to serve as a framework for a healthy eating plan for high blood pressure. It doesnt need to be followed exactly to reap the benefits. When choosing recipes, we made sure to check calories, saturated fat and sodium so they would fit within the total calorie goal of 1,500 calories per day and be within our saturated fat and sodium limits. If youre making a recipe swap, it may be helpful to choose a recipe with similar calories, saturated fat and sodium levels. For more inspiration, check out all of our Mediterranean recipes, including 20+ High-Protein Mediterranean Diet Dinners for Better Heart Health.

Definitely, its fine to eat the same breakfast or lunch every day. Each breakfast ranges from 295 to 350 calories while each lunch spans 344 to 419 calories. These ranges are fairly close, though if youre closely monitoring your calories or other nutrients, like protein, you may want to adjust a snack or two.

Yes, the Mediterranean diet can help improve high blood pressure.

The Mediterranean diet is linked to many health benefits, which is partly why it continues to be so popular. Research links the Mediterranean diet to improved heart health, a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, improved cognitive function and even a reduced risk of certain cancers. One great aspect of this healthy eating style is that its flexible. The idea is to eat the Mediterranean way more often than not by aiming to fill up your plate with veggies, include plenty of fish, nuts and legumes and prioritize whole grains. Eating the occasional sweet, refined grain or processed meat wont derail your health efforts.

Daily Totals: 1,488 calories, 82g fat, 14g saturated fat, 96g protein, 104g carbohydrate, 31g fiber, 1,499mg sodium

Make it 1,200 calories: Change A.M. snack to 1 plum and omit slivered almonds and reduce to cup sliced strawberries at P.M. snack.

Make it 2,000 calories: Add 1 serving Raspberry-Kefir Power Smoothie to breakfast, 1 medium orange to lunch and 1 serving Apple with Cinnamon Almond Butter as an evening snack.

Photographer: Stacy k. Allen, Props: Christina Brockman, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf

Daily Totals: 1,485 calories, 44g fat, 8g saturated fat, 84g protein,194g carbohydrate, 31g fiber, 1,456mg sodium

Make it 1,200 calories: Change A.M. snack to 1 plum, omit quinoa at dinner and omit evening snack.

Make it 2,000 calories: Add 1 cup low-fat plain kefir to breakfast, cup unsalted dry-roasted almonds to A.M. snack and 2 Tbsp. almond butter to evening snack.

Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop stylist: Sue Mitchell

Daily Totals: 1,502 calories, 64g fat, 9g saturated fat, 91g protein, 147g carbohydrate, 29g fiber, 1,385mg sodium

Make it 1,200 calories: Change A.M. snack to cup blueberries and omit Whipped Cottage Cheese at P.M. snack.

Make it 2,000 calories: Add 1 cup low-fat plain kefir to breakfast, cup unsalted dry-roasted almonds to P.M. snack and 1 serving Apple with Cinnamon Almond Butter as an evening snack.

Daily Totals: 1,490 calories, 50g fat, 7g saturated fat, 81g protein, 185g carbohydrate, 28g fiber, 1,062mg sodium

Make it 1,200 calories: Change A.M. snack to 1 plum, change dinner to 1 serving Creamy Pesto Shrimp with Gnocchi & Peas and omit evening snack.

Make it 2,000 calories: Add 1 cup low-fat plain kefir to breakfast, cup unsalted dry-roasted almonds to A.M. snack and 2 Tbsp. almond butter to evening snack.

Photography: Rachel Marek, Food Stylist: Annie Probst

Meal-Prep Tip: Reserve 2 servings Slow-Cooker Chicken & Brown Rice with Roasted Corn & Black Beans to have for lunch on Days 6 and 7.

Daily Totals: 1,513 calories, 57g fat, 8g saturated fat, 104g protein, 157g carbohydrate, 31g fiber, 1,089mg sodium

Make it 1,200 calories: Omit slivered almonds at breakfast and almond butter at A.M. snack.

Make it 2,000 calories: Add 1 serving Peanut Butter & Chia Berry Jam English Muffin to breakfast, 1 medium banana to lunch and 1 large pear as an evening snack.

Daily Totals: 1,492 calories, 57g fat, 9g saturated fat, 101g protein, 157g carbohydrate, 32g fiber, 1,259mg sodium

Make it 1,200 calories: Omit slivered almonds at breakfast, change A.M. snack to 1 plum and omit hummus at P.M. snack.

Make it 2,000 calories: Add 1 serving Peanut Butter & Chia Berry Jam English Muffin tobreakfast, 2 Tbsp. almond butter to A.M. snack and have 1 medium orange as an evening snack.

Daily Totals: 1,503 calories, 64g fat, 10g saturated fat, 113g protein, 125g carbohydrate, 32g fiber, 1,465mg sodium

Make it 1,200 calories: Change A.M. snack to cup blueberries and change P.M. snack to 1 clementine.

Make it 2,000 calories: Add 1 serving Peanut Butter & Chia Berry Jam English Muffin to breakfast, 1 medium banana to A.M. snack and 3 Tbsp. slivered almonds to P.M. snack.

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7-Day High-Protein Mediterranean Diet Meal Plan for High Blood Pressure, Created by a Dietitian - EatingWell

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The following is a summary of Diet in Food Insecurity: A Mediator of Metabolic Health? published in the June 2024 issue of Endocrinology by Morselli, et al.

For a study, researchers sought to investigate the role of dietary factors (quantity and quality) as potential mediators in the association between food insecurity (FI) and metabolic health outcomes, including excess weight (body mass index, BMI), central adiposity (waist circumference), and glycemic control (glycohemoglobin, A1C).

Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a mediation analysis was conducted with FI as the independent variable and BMI, waist circumference, and A1C as metabolic outcome variables. Potential mediators included total energy intake, macronutrient consumption, and diet quality assessed by the Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015).

Despite a higher prevalence of obesity among participants experiencing FI, daily energy intake was similar between food-secure and -insecure individuals. Dietary factors did not significantly mediate the associations between FI and metabolic outcomes in adjusted analyses across the entire cohort. However, race-stratified analyses revealed that total sugar consumption partially mediated the relationship between FI and BMI in non-Hispanic Whites. Diet quality measures (HEI-2015 total score and added sugar subscore) were partial mediators of waist circumference and BMI among individuals in the other ethnic group.

While dietary factors did not appear to be the primary mediators of the association between FI and metabolic health outcomes in the overall population, they may play a role in specific ethnic groups. Future research should explore other social determinants of health commonly associated with FI to understand this relationship better.

Reference: academic.oup.com/jes/article/8/6/bvae062/7638841

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Analyzing if Diet in Food Insecurity is a Mediator of Metabolic Health - Physician's Weekly

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Even without a complete dietary overhaul, incorporating more plant-based meals is heart-healthy. (Photo by Farhad Ibrahimzade on Unsplash)

WASHINGTON Americans love their meat stacking away an average of 224.6 pounds of meat in 2022. That includes 82 pounds of beef and 51 pounds of pork on their plates each year. Unfortunately, thats not good news for our cardiovascular systems.

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death globally, and poor diet, including high meat intake, is a significant risk factor. Studies consistently show that high consumption of meat and processed meat is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

But what if a simple tweak to your diet could significantly reduce your risk of heart disease without requiring you to go entirely meat-free?

An approach to eating called Flexitarianism might be the solution to Americas meat-eating obsession. This approach emphasizes plant-based foods as the foundation of your meals while allowing for occasional meat and processed meat consumption. In other words, it eliminates the all-or-nothing mindset and instead allows for flexibility in your diet hence the term Flexitarian.

The Flexitarian Diet is a flexible approach to plant-based eating that is gaining popularity among those seeking a more accommodating lifestyle, says Sarah Harper, MS, RD, LDN. They want a flexible, individualized, and sustainable approach to plant-based eating, without strict rules.

This approach is more popular than vegetarian or vegan diets. Mayank Pandey, a dietitian and co-founder of Healthroid, adds, The trend of people choosing flexitarian diets is on the rise due to a growing awareness of the environmental impact of meat consumption and healthier eating habits.

Dietitian Jennifer Pallian of Foodess agrees. {It} doesnt demand strict adherence, making social situations simpler to navigate, and making it an easier lifestyle change overall.

Red meat consumption is declining, but cheese consumption is increasing. Compared to the established links between high red meat consumption and cardiovascular health, moderate cheese intake has a neutral effect on human health; however, dairy cheese is high in saturated fat, which can have negative health implications.

Another benefit of a plant-based diet is its environmental impact. Cheese production generates significant greenhouse gas emissions compared to other animal products like fish, pork, and poultry, as well as plant-based options like olive oil and tofu.

Additionally, lactose intolerance affects a sizable portion of the population, with estimates ranging from 15% for Caucasian adults to 85% for African American adults, based on results from the American College of Gastroenterology. These factors suggest that reducing cheese consumption may be worth considering from an environmental and personal health perspective.

I have found that cheese is one of the more challenging foods to move away from when going flexitarian, says Sandra Chavez, registered dietitian nutritionist and freelance health writer.

This is where plant-based cheeses come in. Chavez says, Many of the newest brands melt like dairy-based cheeses and have a great flavor. This helps people have their favorite cheesy meals while supporting a more plant-forward/flexitarian lifestyle.

GOOD PLANeT is one of these choices but with a heart-healthy slant. The first of its kind among vegan cheese brands, it uses olive oil in its dairy-free cheeses to create melty, delicious options with a more sustainable footprint than traditional dairy cheeses. These products are often lower in calories than dairy cheese, with zero cholesterol and minimal saturated fat, providing a heart-healthy option for those who want to limit or avoid dairy cheese.

Many vegan cheeses are made with coconut oil, which is high in saturated fat. The switch to olive oil in GOOD PLANeTs newest cheese means that its better for both people and the planet, says Bianca Tamburello, RDN with GOOD PLANeT Foods.

You dont have to give up animal products, including cheese, completely. My cheese drawer is stocked with both dairy cheese and GOOD PLANeTs Olive Oil Cheese, for its healthy fat content and great melt- this way I can enjoy plant-based options with a satisfying cheesiness anytime, Tamburello says.

A February 2024 BMC Nutrition study offered promising news. Researchers compared the cardiovascular health of flexitarians, omnivores, and vegans. Flexitarians and vegans fared better in key health markers like insulin, triglycerides, and cholesterol (total and LDL) all crucial for heart health.

The study also revealed that flexitarians with a primarily plant-based diet and occasional animal-based consumption had the most favorable metabolic syndrome results, which factors in body weight and waistline.

Additionally, flexitarians and vegans reported consuming significantly higher amounts of vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, and plant-based dairy alternatives than omnivores, suggesting that a dietary shift towards more plant-based options, even if not wholly vegetarian, can substantially impact cardiovascular health.

Fiber, found abundantly in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes, is crucial in reducing the risk of heart disease. It promotes healthy gut bacteria growth, moves food through the digestive tract, and may help lower inflammation.

Dietary fiber may be key to assessing the benefits of a flexitarian approach compared to an omnivorous one. The same BMC Nutrition study revealed that flexitarians and vegans consumed significantly more plant-based milk alternatives, dairy replacements, meat substitutes, fruits, and vegetables than omnivores. Conversely, they showed a lower intake of sugary drinks and sweets.

This dietary pattern aligns with current United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommendations, which suggest that 75% of ones diet should come from plant-based sources. Half the plate should contain fruits and vegetables. Whole grains and protein sources like lean meats, legumes, or nuts should each make up one-quarter of the total.

For a flexitarian diet, the prime benefit is they are gaining a lot more nutrients like fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants from eating more plants than you would see in someone who is choosing more animal-based proteins like fish, chicken, and beef, says Shannon Jacobs, MS, RDN, LDN, Health & Performance Dietitian, Canyon Ranch.

Dietician Jeanette Kimszal of Root Nutrition & Education adds, A diet high in fiber may improve digestion and reduce the risk of CHD, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity.

Even without a complete dietary overhaul, incorporating more plant-based meals is heart-healthy. So, next time you plan your meals, consider adding a colorful veggie stir-fry, a lentil soup, or a black bean burger topped with olive oil-based cheese. Your heart and the planet may thank you.

This article was produced by Media Decision and syndicated by Wealth of Geeks.

-Alexandra Caspero

Wealth of Geeks

Via Associated Press

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This One Simple Diet Flex Can Improve Heart Health - Morning Ag Clips -

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Overview

In current food environments, energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods are readily available, heavily marketed and relatively cheap. Consumers are challenged to make healthy and affordable food-related decisions that are consistent with a healthy diet. Affordability of food is a key determinant of the food environment and changes in price influence consumer demand for many foods and beverages. Fiscal measures, including both taxation and subsidies have long been recognized as a viable policy option to promote healthy diets. Despite some progress in implementing fiscal measures, governments continue to face challenges in their attempts to develop such measures.

This WHO guideline provides Member States with recommendations and implementation considerations on fiscal policies to promote healthy diets, including on food and beverage taxation, and on food subsidies that have the primary intention to change consumer behaviour by lowering prices of targeted products at retail level.

Guidelines on other policies to improve the food environment are currently under development.

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Fiscal policies to promote healthy diets: WHO guideline - World Health Organization (WHO)

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