How to get healthy and lose weight?
Eating a whole food, unprocessed diet with 50-75% non starchy veggies and fruits as the foundation of your diet will not only help you lose weight, but will also help to maximize your health!
Research shows that increasing fruits and non starchy veggies lowers the risk of all cause mortality, coronary heart disease, and many types of cancers.
The number one cause of premature death in the USA and many countries throughout the globe is heart disease, with cancer being second. By simply making your diet 50-75 % fruit and non starchy veggies, you will not only lower your total caloric intake without reducing your total volume or weight of food, assisting with feeling satisfied to help you lose weight, you’ll also reduce your risk of premature death and live a longer, healthier life. In addition, you’ll feel better and have more energy.
In addition to extending lifespan, eating more fruits and non starchy veggies increases intake of dietary fiber, which in turn lowers the risk of gastrointestinal issues, such as constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, hemorrhoids, anal fissures, colorectal cancer, among other GI disorders. Eating 50-75% fruits and non starchy vegetables also increases friendly bacteria (probiotics), which are fundamental for improving gut health and preventing bowel disease.
Increasing F and NSV also increases micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals including vitamin C, B vitamins, beta carotene, folate, potassium among others. These are essential vitamins and minerals and are needed from the diet. Meaning, we can’t produce them internally, but must get them from our food. Vitamins and minerals have a variety of functions, but many of them are needed for energy production. They help pull energy from glucose, a fuel source for our cells.
Lastly, eating a whole foods, nutrient rich diet high in non starchy veggies and fruits helps to support a healthy immune system, cardiovascular system and all the organ systems in the body!
Have a healthy day!