| There are 7 popular ways of eating researched for promoting longevity – how do you know which is best for you? Warning – these ways of eating are called “diets”. But they are not meant to be restrictive or promote weight loss. By now many have figured out eating healthy doesn’t = weight loss. You can eat healthy and gain weight if you aren’t addressing your relationship with food…I’ll talk about that later. Eating healthy is about fueling your body in a way that feeds your cells nutrients aka eating fruits or veggies that weren’t picked that long ago or by nature store nutrients like whole grains, seeds and legumes. I challenge you to assess… how many foods do you eat during the day that are “close” to still living aka recently harvested? For many of us in the northern hemispheres where the earth is frozen for many months each winter – it’s likely we’re eating a lot of “dead” food. Kinda gross to think about all the “dead” nutrients you eat in a day – especially if you’re not getting in many fresh herbs, fruits or veggies. This is why I love growing bean sprouts and micro-greens – active living organisms that you can eat…talk about harnessing active energy. Way better than the fake sweet gross tasting greens powders out there. But I digress… Take a look at the list of ways of eating aka “diets” out there for longevity and see which you resonate with…can you take bits and pieces from a few of them and make your own longevity meal plan? (if you’re short on time click HERE for “cliff notes” & shareable images…also included in the link at the end of the email.) 🥬 1. Blue Zones DietBased on the eating habits of the world’s longest-living people in areas like Okinawa, Sardinia, Ikaria, Nicoya, and Loma Linda.Plant-based, lots of legumes, whole grains, healthy fats, moderate alcohol (especially red wine). 🐟 2. Mediterranean DietRich in olive oil, fish, veggies, legumes, whole grains, nuts, fruit and veggies.Linked to reduced risk of heart disease, cancer, cognitive decline, and overall mortality. 🍵 3. Traditional Okinawan DietHigh in sweet potatoes, tofu, seaweed, turmeric, and vegetables.Very low in calories and meat, emphasizing nutrient density and anti-inflammatory foods. 🍚 4. Macrobiotic DietInspired by Japanese tradition and Zen Buddhism.Focuses on whole grains, fermented foods, seasonal vegetables, and minimal animal products. 🧪 5. Fasting-Mimicking Diet (FMD)Created by Dr. Valter Longo.Short-term, low-calorie plant-based diet that mimics fasting to promote cellular repair and longevity. 🥦 6. Plant-Based DietsIncludes vegetarian, vegan, and flexitarian approaches.Focused on minimizing processed foods and animal products to reduce disease risk. 🧬 7. Paleo-Mediterranean Hybrid or Ancestral DietsCombines whole-food ancestral eating with Mediterranean principles.Focuses on nutrient density, clean proteins, and reducing processed foods for metabolic longevity. Which one or pieces of each one sound the easiest for you to mimic and tolerate based on your preferences and your gut? That’s your longevity food plan! No need to overcomplicate eating healthy… Determine what you like to eat out of the list above and incorporate it into your grocery list. There are no rules – you can mix up these ways of eating! Now for those of you that get into the research… There are 28 research studies reviewed on The Mediterranean Diet and it seems there are quite a bit of bonus points for this style of eating. Many of the menopause gurus are promoting this style of eating for hormone balance as well. Why does it seem this “diet” works the best? The high amount of fiber and polyphenols from fruits and veggies has been shown to enrich the gut microbiome which is central to your total body health. So am I a fan of the Mediterranean Diet? – absolutely. It’s how I normally eat and includes all of my favorite foods. But I also mix in many of the characteristics of the other diets too. But what if your gut inflates to a late term pregnancy with legumes, nuts and seeds cause sharp pains in your colon and the thought of stinky fish isn’t your idea of a culinary delight? You modify it to what works for you, keeps you feeling healthy and energetic… …And most of all doesn’t cause you frustration because you’re following a “diet” and the research says to do so and a doc you follow online said these are the 7 “diets” for longevity. Make up your own longevity plan and mix in what’s been found to be healthy that you like. This way of approaching food ensures your nervous system isn’t going to revolt and pack on pounds because you’ve now associated food with “the enemy”… …and if you’ve already made food your enemy a while ago because you’ve convinced yourself that anything you eat makes you fat, causes you gut pain or causes your cholesterol to go up it’s time to give up the old stories. Life is too short to have a negative relationship with what fuels you to survive… and what’s the point of eating foods that do not bring you joy. Find the foods with the highest energetic vibe aka closest to nature and freshest as possible – that you actually like and eat them often. The best “diet” for longevity, hormones and even weight loss is the one you’ll stick with long term! Here’s to eating healthy on your terms, Dr. J PS: Looking for this information in an easy to read format that you can share or save? Click the link below for what I’m calling sharable email “cliff notes”! |
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