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Writer's pictureAudrey Sie

Lessons from a book: How Not to Die by Dr. Michael Greger

Why I wanted to read this book

In general, I am interested in nutrition. There are many diets out there, many opinions on what is healty, and many research studies with contradicting results. For example, I knew to some extent that meat is not a healthy food, but it is also widely spread information that lean meat helps to build muscle mass, due to its protein-richness. As someone who works out regularly, I am interested to know what foods are beneficial to muscle repair and growth.


Also as someone who donates blood, I need to know what iron-rich foods exist and perhaps what conditions inhibit or assist iron absorption. Finally, I want to be a good and knowledgeable conversation partner when it comes to foods and diets. Everybody likes food, right?


Summary

This 400-page book preaches one main message: a plant-based diet boosts overall health and is even capable of reversing life-threatening diseases. For a complete overview of the good and bad foods per disease, drop me an email at info@productivithee.com.


Fun Fact

Drinking tea during meals can inhibit iron absorption, while vitamine C-rich foods stimulate iron absorption.

How I am applying this book in my own life

  • I cannot call myself a vegan, nor do I follow a 100% vegetarian diet, but I do try to minimize meat and dairy intake. Meat took some time to cut back on, but it’s getting increasingly easier. I hardly include meat in my dinners, and have started to minimize my meat intake during lunch.

  • My dairy intake mostly consists of cheese and eggs. For now I do not have any plans of cutting out these products, but I do want to cut down.

  • I used to eat yogurt for breakfast every day, until I followed one of Dr. Greger’s suggestions to include oats and oatmeel in one’s diet. Instead of mixing oatmeel with cow’s milk I use almond or soy milk. It tastes fantastic.

  • The basis for my weekly meal planning now consists of the veggies I want to eat, rather than carbs (such as rice, potatoes, or pasta).

  • I also pay more attention to color. Do my meals include ingredients with multiple colors, such as red + green + white? Can I switch up a color? For instance by choosing the sweet potato with purple skin instead of the sweet potato with brown skin?


Overall, with incremental changes it is not too hard to slowly move towards a whole-grain, plant-based diet. I do notice that when I leave out cheese and meat in my lunch, my post-lunch dip is much less bad, or even non-existent.

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