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This past week, former USA President Bill Clinton was interviewed as to the
things he had changed about his diet and exercise routine since having a heart
bypass operation in September of 2004. He made the observation that for most of
his adult life he maintained his weight and fitness through controlling how much
he ate and through exercising regularly. "I thought that was good enough to be
healthy," he commented. "But I now know you have to pay attention not only to the
quantity of the food you eat, also to the quality. I never did that before."
So what are the changes he has made? "For one thing," he told the reporter, "I
have pretty much given up fast food and French Fries. Three French Fries every
other month is about my limit. And I used to eat French Fries all the time!"
That's one good decision Bill Clinton has made. If he was able to maintain a
normal weight while eating fast food and French Fries, at the same time as
holding one of the most stressful jobs in the world, then he was doing far more
than most people can do. Those foods are typically a disaster when it comes to
weight management, made even worse by the stressful demands of modern life. But,
as Bill Clinton learned the hard way, even when people do successfully manage
their weight on such a diet they can end up with significant health problems.
That's because junk food forces the body to deal with a lot of junk. The more
junk the body has to clean up, the harder it is to avoid cardiovascular disease,
cancer, liver disease, kidney disease, dementia, and other chronic conditions.
By paying attention to quality as well as quantity, however, we make it easier
on our bodies to stay healthy and well.
A study published recently in the Journal of the American Medical Association
pitted three healthy diets against each other. The 2001 DASH program (Dietary
Approaches to Stop Hypertension)
Click was
modified to include more lean vegetable protein or more healthy monounsaturated
fat. This generated three diets that were low in saturated fat, trans fatty
acids, cholesterol, and sodium at the same time as they were rich in fruit,
vegetables, fiber, potassium, and other minerals.
The results favored the modified DASH programs. Trading about 10% of the
carbohydrates in the DASH program for protein from beans and fat from nuts or
olive oil generated a more significant lowering of blood pressure and blood
cholesterol. And that's good news not only for the heart but for the health of
the whole body as well. So pay attention to both the quality and the quantity of
the foods you eat. This focus will serve you well in the holiday season and
throughout the year.
Coaching Inquiries: What foods do you make a point of eating or avoiding? Are
there ways for you to get excited about eating foods that will promote health
and wellness? How could you add some lean protein and healthy fat to your diet
without adding calories? Can you do this even through the holidays? Who could
become your partner in staying fit for life?
 To reply to this Pathway, use our
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Wellness Coaching programs and to arrange for a complimentary wellness coaching
session, use our Contact Form or
Email Bob.
May you be filled with goodness, peace, and joy.
Bob Tschannen-Moran
LifeTrek Coaching International
121 Will Scarlet Lane
Williamsburg, VA 23185-5043
U.S.A.
Telephone: 757-345-3452
Fax: 772-382-3258
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