Finally Trendy

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!