Healthy diet benefits the heart and soul

August 14, 2001 in Healthy Eating, Heart Health

Healthy diet benefits the heart and soul

A diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low in fat is not only good for the waistline but may have a positive impact on a person's happiness. Older adults who followed a healthy eating plan for four years were more confident that their food choices would improve their health and more satisfied with life in general, compared with their peers who followed their regular diets.

What's more, individuals who adopted a healthy eating plan said that eating less fat was just as convenient and no more costly than following their regular diet. Eating healthfully away from home, however, proved to be slightly more difficult, according to interviews.

Individuals who followed a healthy eating plan were instructed to consume no more than 20% of their calories from fat, to eat 18 grams (g) of fiber for every 1,000 calories consumed, and to eat five to eight servings of fruits and vegetables daily. They also kept detailed daily food records and were instructed on how to prepare healthy meals. Each year, those who had adopted a healthy diet reported more confidence in their ability to care for their health and a greater awareness of health and nutrition messages. They were also more likely than those who did not change their diet to believe that food could improve their health.

This study provides evidence that, given appropriate support...individuals can successfully alter their eating patterns in multiple ways without a negative impact on quality of life.

All research on this web site is the property of Leslie Beck Nutrition Consulting Inc. and is protected by copyright. Keep in mind that research on these matters continues daily and is subject to change. The information presented is not intended as a substitute for medical treatment. It is intended to provide ongoing support of your healthy lifestyle practices.