Avoiding these foods could help your health.
The holiday season often tempts us with indulgent delights like charcuterie boards, eggnog, and sweet treats. However, health experts, including doctors and nutritionists, share their unique dietary strategies that steer clear of sugary drinks and processed foods loaded with added sugar and salt.
In conversations with NBC News, a panel of nine health professionals—comprising doctors, registered dietitians, and nutrition professors—shared valuable insights into their dietary habits. Many emphasized the importance of swapping out items like cookies, crackers, and deli meats for healthier options such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.
Jaimie Davis, a registered dietitian and professor at the University of Texas at Austin, champions a whole-food approach in her meals. Her focus lies in minimizing packaged components, favoring meals like chicken breasts alongside broccoli and rice.
To manage calorie intake and promote her family’s health, Davis avoids sugary drinks, preferring alternatives like LaCroix or infused waters incorporating basil and strawberries. She also recommends low-sugar alcoholic mixes—combining sparkling water with a hint of hard liquor and fruit accents.
Angel Planells, a registered dietitian nutritionist from Seattle, consciously avoids cured meats, smoked fish, and high-sodium canned or frozen meals. He stresses that these should be occasional treats rather than regular dietary staples, particularly due to their impact on heart health.
Lauren Au, a nutritional sciences professor at the University of California, Davis, follows a plant-centered Mediterranean-style diet, emphasizing vegetables, nuts, whole grains, and legumes. She opts for home-cooked meals to reduce sodium intake and limits dining out.
Dr. Linda Shiue, affiliated with Kaiser Permanente, steers clear of snacks like packaged cookies and crackers, opting for foods with clear ingredients. She highlights the need to minimize ultraprocessed foods, known for their association with various health risks.
Shiue underscores the importance of incorporating vegetables into one’s diet, advocating for their role in improving gut health and warding off chronic diseases. She encourages diverse cooking techniques to enhance the appeal of vegetables.
While these experts showcase diverse dietary approaches, they acknowledge that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to healthy eating. Socioeconomic factors, access to nutritious foods, and understanding food labels significantly influence dietary choices.
Maya Feller, a registered dietitian in New York City, advises seeking medical advice to assess individual health status before prioritizing the inclusion of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and legumes in one’s diet.
In contrast, Laura Bellows, an associate professor at Cornell University, advocates moderation rather than categorically avoiding certain foods. Her approach aligns with dietary guidelines, emphasizing moderation and portion control over labeling foods as inherently good or bad.
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