In recent months, I think there's a new diet trend -- fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. If you reference back to recent nutrition reads, do any of them emphasize fruits, vegetables, and whole grains? Probably so.
Is this NEW information? Nope. Is this TRUE information? Yes.
For the first time, I see these low-calorie, nutrient-dense, high-fiber foods taking center stage. BRAVO!
With my patients, I don't find 24-hour recalls or questions such as, "Do you feel you do with consuming enough fruits and vegetables?". I straight-up ask my patients to name all the fruits and vegetables they can recall having in the past week. Nine out of ten times, the list never makes it past potatoes, corn, and the occasional banana or apple (and I'm not a potato or corn hater, by the way!).
Sitting right behind me at my desk is a poster of a fruit and vegetable rainbow. I see many sets of eyes graze over that poster with a revelation reading across their face of, "Oh, MAYBE this is a short-coming in my diet. I don't consume any of those..." And at least several times a week, someone is inquiring the name of a particular fruit or vegetable (pomegranates, artichokes, leeks, and eggplants are often unknown warriors in the F&V battle). Sad! Those are some of the best vegetables around!
How many fruits and vegetables DO you need in a day? Depends.
Are you getting enough?
I just have to say that I am OVERJOYED that fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are getting the attention they deserve. There's no gimmicks, no hard-fast rules...but eating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is an easy, reliable means of increasing health and likely decreasing weight. Eat'em up!
And in my Journal of the American Dietetic Association this month the cover story is about the Health-At-Every-Size (HAES) approach. I've talked about this approach in the past, and specifically the opinion of Linda Bacon. The Canadian study included in the journal this month showed that the HAES and social-support groups had decreased situational susceptibility to disinhibition and susceptibility to hunger when
compared to the control group.
In short, more research to support a healthy approach to weight and weight loss...and many, many reasons to love the body you've been given despite aesthetic preferences!
Have a wonderful day! Happy Birthday, KG!
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I couldn't agree more with you. all the diets that keep circling around. Everyone is always looking for the "easy way out." There is no "Perfect" way for everyone to eat. But there is a perfect way for your body. And fruit, vegetables, and whole grains is a really good start. (minus lactose intolerance or gluten sensitivity)
ReplyDeleteabsolutely true. I'm hooked on fruits and veggies for their fiber alone ;) ! Needless to say just how YUMMY they are! :D
ReplyDeleteThank you for following my blog! I'm excited to add you to my reader too! :D
It's scary when I talk to my clients and they give me the same answers as you just said. It's true, when you ask them how many they have had you don't get an honest answer, but if you have them NAME them, then you can really find out some good information. Thanks for the CDC reference, I had not seen that handout, it looks helpful!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the birthday wishes! Maybe this year I will start writing my own blog...
ReplyDeleteI think that is an excellent idea!!
ReplyDeleteYes, eating more fruits and veggies is a good diet trend! :)
ReplyDeleteI really increased the amount of fruits and veggies I eat over the summer. While I have always liked veggies (not so much fruits), I realized that I wasn't eating as many servings as I thought I was.
Starting lunch and dinner with a big salad that contains many different greens (spinach, Romaine, kale, arugula, mixed greens, etc.) and veggies (mushrooms, carrots, beets, peas, etc.) is one way for me to get more veggies. Also, having fresh green juice several times a week has been helpful. Finally, I have been much more "adventurous" when it comes to trying new fruits.
Nicole, as usual a very nice job; thank you for sharing. I love pulling a frozen bag of cut-up fruit from the freezer to show clients that I eat them too, but more importantly, they realize that I practice what I preach and walk the walk, not just talk-the-talk. I also keep a bowl of fresh cut-up vegetables in the refrigerator.
ReplyDelete(As an aside, and when you have time, I e-mailed information to you at MrsRD44@gmail.com. Should you not have received this from me, please let me know and I will be happy to resend to you.)
All the best,
Anthony :)
Did you really reference Canadian Bacon (aka Linda) in your post on fruits & veggies??? ;) Sorry - couldn't resist. The pamphlet was very interesting. I certainly don't meet my requirements, but am probably doing better here in Singapore than I was at home.
ReplyDeleteThis is a good article and definitely agree, thanks for sharing! I think whole grains are so important in a diet and I’ve swapped out refined carbs for whole grains. Here are some recipes you might be interested in seeing that have whole grains and are very tasty: http://www.shar-on-nutrition.com/?p=362
ReplyDeleteFeel free to comment! :)