DIET: The New Science of Eating Healthy
How much does your diet matter really??
I mean—sure—we all know that sweets and junk food are bad, and fruits and veggies are good. But beyond that? There’s a lot of confusing and contradictory info out there.
For years, I have aspired to follow Michael Pollan’s advice: "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants." I am pretty good at that … until dinner time, when the food my kids like to eat–pasta Bolognese, chicken parmesan, burgers and steaks—prove to be irresistible.
However, my latest podcast guest has written a book that has changed my eating habits. For two weeks anyway. And I think these changes are going to stick. He’s convinced me that eating well isn’t just a nice habit: it is the single best thing we can do for our health.?
The guest is UK scientist Dr. Tim Spector, and the book is Food for Life: The New Science of Eating Well. Tim Spector makes the case that almost every common disease has some link with diet. Half of the disease burden of heart disease, arthritis, dementia, cancer, type 2 diabetes, autoimmune diseases, and infertility could be prevented or delayed if people ate better. Half! Half of the hospital visits, the medical expenses — and we’d all have more time with our grandchildren.
There is a revolution occurring right now in our understanding of nutrition. Tim Spector, a leading epidemiologist and microbiome researcher, is among those at the forefront. We’re now able to identify more than 26,000 different chemicals in the foods we eat. A humble clove of garlic contains 4,250 chemicals, many of which impact our bodies in profoundly positive ways. What we eat has an enormous effect on the health of our microbiome, which in turn affects our mood, our immune system, and our long term health. We are starting to figure it out.
Here’s my favorite part of Tim’s message, and our conversation – food isn’t just critical to our health, it’s also beautiful. Eating is a rapturous, extraordinary experience. Much of our experience of color and smell and taste evolved to help us select and enjoy food. And good food – the kind that protects us from disease and extends our life – can be even more varied and surprising and delicious when we learn more about it.?
Listen to this episode above, on Apple Podcasts or on Spotify . Then jump over to the comments to join the discussion.
This is a book, and conversation, that is going to stay with me and really impact my choices going forward. I hope you find it beneficial as well.
Episode Notes
?? Follow Tim on Twitter @timspector
?? Check out Tim's personalized nutrition company, ZOE
?? Tune in to the ZOE podcast on health science, nutrition, and gut health
?? Dig into the episode on the Next Big Idea magazine
?? Get?your copy ?of?Food for Life
???Download the Next Big Idea app
Creative problem solver and always curious
1 年I have been listening to your podcast for a while now and always learn something! On my commute home, this episode had me thinking about my choices …. and now I think I will try Kefir but Kimchi is one of my favourites.
Keynote Speaker | Author | Executive Coach
1 年Just watched his YouTube. Really powerful stuff and I love his passion for seeds and fermented foods. Curious what he says about croissants so will give your chat a listen. Thanks Rufus.