Does what we consume really affect make a difference to how long or how well we live?
According to Dr Frederick Amati, author of Sunday Times Best-Seller Everybody Should Know This, diet causes around 75,000 premature deaths each year in the U.K.
But the great news is that a healthy diet that can increase our ‘healthspan’ as well as our ‘lifespan’.
Results from a UK Biobank long-term study, have helped scientists to identify a ‘longevity-associated dietary pattern’ that was linked to a longer life.
Here it is:
A high Intake of:
• Vegetables
• Nuts
• Legumes
• Traditional milk and dairy (think Greek yogurt and kefir)
A moderate intake of:
• Whole grains
• Fruit
• Fish
• White meat
A relatively low intake of:
• Eggs
• Red meat
A low intake of:
• Refined grains
• Sugar-sweetened beverages
• Processed meat
In their paper, the researchers write, “Consuming less sugar-sweetened beverages and processed meats and eating more whole grains and nuts were estimated to result in the biggest improvements in life expectancy.”
And it’s up to us as individuals to take ourselves in hand. Sadly the government does nothing to stop the unrelenting flow of misleading and conflicting information and marketing around what constitutes a healthy diet.
How I support clients to make these changes?
Coaching clients to make nutritional changes that positively effect their health and wellbeing is something that I do everyday.
My approach is always about the individual.
I assess their current diet, they share their desired outcome and I support them to switch aspects of their diet, one step at a time.
Finding the foods that suit their taste buds and culinary skills/time and lifestyle constraints.
One small stone at a time to start the boulder rolling and keep it moving.
Absorbing knowledge and skills along the way that will make the small step be long lasting positive behaviours and choices.
A nutritionally healthy diet is always essential for our health and our lifespan? Even if
people are using other strategies to be slimmer.
