Variety may be good for your portfolio, but it isn’t good for your health.
Eating a diverse diet may actually be unhealthy for you, a study from the American Heart Association released this week said. Researchers examined scientific literature published between January 2000 and December 2017 and found there is no evidence dietary diversity promotes a healthy weight or optimal eating.
In fact, there is some evidence that people who eat a greater variety may actually eat more unhealthy food, and that eating a wider variety may delay a feeling of “fullness” for people and cause weight gain in adults.
“Eating a more diverse diet might be associated with eating a greater variety of both healthy and unhealthy foods,” Marcia de Oliveira Otto, lead author of the study, said. “Combined, such an eating pattern may lead to increased food consumption and obesity.”
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They should also limit consumption of red meat, sweets, and sugary drinks, Otto said. “Choosing a greater range of foods that may include less healthy items such as donuts, chips, fries and cheeseburgers, even in moderation,” she added.
America’s obesity epidemic has a major effect on finances, with the obesity rate expected to hit 50% by 2030. Obese people participate less in the stock market and are more likely to live in poverty.
Many health gurus say, the best diet is the one you stick to, and incorporating variety is no different. People looking to lose weight and maintain a healthy heart should eat more plants, vegetables, whole grains, beans, and low-fat dairy products, the American Heart Association said.
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