British nutritionists Gunther Kuhnle (University of Reading) and Duane Mellor (Aston University) said that replacing grains, legumes, whole grains and nuts with vegetables and fruits is not only impractical but also potentially harmful to health. In this respect reports Daily mail.
The diet, which requires eating 30 types of plant foods a week, was developed by London professor of genetic epidemiology Tim Spector. According to his recommendations, when following the diet, every meal should include seeds or nuts, whole grains, vegetables, cereals, fruits, berries, flour, vegetables, coffee, chocolate, popcorn and seaweed. It is not necessary to eat all of these foods together. The rule of thumb is to create a varied weekly menu that includes each of the 30 different types of plant foods.
According to a study of people from the UK, USA and Australia, such a diet has a positive effect on the composition of the intestinal microbiome, strengthens the immune system, improves well-being and reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases. However, this diet also has disadvantages.
Dietitian Dwayne Mellor says planning a prescription diet can be quite difficult. Preoccupation with proper nutrition can also trigger the development of eating disorders such as anorexia and orthorexia (obsession with wanting to eat only organic foods), as well as lead to unnecessary spending on “convenient” foods.
Fruits and vegetables, a critical component of Tim Spector’s diet, are healthy. They are rich in fiber, dietary fiber, which supports healthy digestion. However, nutritionist Günter Kuhnle does not recommend overindulging in them.
Other plant-based foods like grains, nuts, high-cocoa chocolate, and popcorn are equally important in providing the body with all the nutrients it needs. A diet based solely on vegetables and fruits can lead to deficiency states. Indicators are skin and hair deterioration, fatigue, weakness and apathy due to various vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
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