Originally published September 28 2005
Expert reveals five healthiest habits for eating
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
In her Cooking Light column for Netscape News, Michelle Katlan says Americans have taken a greater interest in global cuisine because of the inherent health benefits, illustrated by the generally superior health of other countries' citizens, so Katlan offers the five healthiest habits on the planet.
But lately, Americans have also taken greater interest in global cuisine because of health benefits attributed to certain styles of eating.
Books, such as The French Diet: The Secrets of Why French Women Don't Get Fat, by Michel Montignac, and ongoing nutrition studies of the so-called Mediterranean diet and Asian foods continue to garner new headlines.
Making small changes in the way you eat can bring big health benefits--and more enjoyment--to your table.
In many countries, meat is a garnish.
The traditional Chinese diet, for example, consists primarily of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.
Harvard University's Nurses Health Study, for example, which examined almost 85,000 women over 12 to 14 years, found that those who ate the most fruit and vegetables had a 20 percent lower risk for heart disease.
Plus, with the growth of America's farmers' markets, the introduction of Consumer Supported Agriculture, where community members buy produce from local farmers each month, and home delivery from many supermarkets, opportunities for Americans to have fresh produce abound.
What you can do: Try to fill two-thirds of your plate with produce and whole-grain foods, and the remaining third with fish or meat, Montignac says.
For the French, Italians, and Spanish, meals provide quality time with friends and family, a practice that encourages healthful bonds.
An average meal in France is 25 percent smaller than one in America, according to a 2003 University of Pennsylvania comparison, which examined portion sizes at 11 similar pairs of establishments, from pizza parlors to ethnic restaurants.
Drizzle with a bottled, reduced-calorie vinaigrette, and add whole-grain crackers, melba rounds, or matzoh crackers on the side to sneak in whole grains.
Herbs and spices add delicious, attractive, and healthful flair to your plate.
All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing LLC takes sole responsibility for all content. Truth Publishing sells no hard products and earns no money from the recommendation of products. NaturalNews.com is presented for educational and commentary purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice from any licensed practitioner. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. For the full terms of usage of this material, visit www.NaturalNews.com/terms.shtml