Joel Fuhrman - Eat To Live

Eat to Live 233

level there is not enough data available. Some smaller studies suggest

that some fish added to a vegetarian diet provides benefit, which is

likely a result of the increased DHA fat from fish.^11 This same benefit

most likely could be achieved on a strict vegetarian diet by including

ground flaxseed and nuts that contain omega-3, such as walnuts. If

you want to get the benefit from the additional DHA contained in

fish yet remain on a strict vegetarian diet, you can take plant-derived

DHA.

Whether or not you are a stria vegetarian, your diet still must be

plant-predominant for optimal health and to maximally reduce

cancer risk. A vegetarian or vegan diet may be healthy or unhealthy,

depending on food choices, but a diet similar to the one most Amer-

icans consume — i.e., one containing a significant quantity of ani-

mal products — cannot be made healthful. For those not willing to

give them up, animal products should be limited to twelve ounces or

less per week. Otherwise, the risk of disease increases considerably.

Many of my patients choose to eat only vegan foods in their home

and eat animal products only as a treat once a week or so when they

are out.

Is a high-nutrient, low-calorie diet the best one for everyone?

I do not recommend the same diet for everyone, but the H = N/C for-

mula never changes. On very rare occasions I come across an indi-

vidual who requires some modification to this diet. There are some

illnesses, such as active inflammatory-bowel disease, for which this

diet would have to be adjusted because the patient may not tolerate

a large amount of raw vegetables and fruit. I do adjust and customize

eating plans and nutritional supplements for individuals with unique

medical and metabolic needs. If you are one such person, or if you

need a healthful way to gain weight, I would hope you would con-

tact me, or another physician with expertise in this area, for more

specific advice.

I don't drink six to eight glasses of water daily. Is that bad?

Only those eating an American-style diet, so high in salt and so low

in the high-water-content fruits and vegetables, need to drink that

much water. On my fiber- and fluid-rich diet, your need for extra

water decreases. Three glasses a day is usually sufficient; but if you