Starch-Based Diet

Diet reports are sometimes confusing.

The media is full of conflicting reports concerning nutrition. Consumers must decide between the low calorie diet, the low glycemic index diet and many more. The starch-based or vegan diet is not new, but experts are taking another look at its health benefits.

Considerations

Legumes are a staple of the starch-based diet.

Vegetarianism has many forms. The vegan avoids not only animal flesh of all kinds but also avoids other animal agricultural products such as eggs and dairy products as well. These starch-based diets include grain, rice, legumes, potatoes, fruits and vegetables.

The Facts

People following starch-based diets have fewer health risks.

Medical experts such as Dean Ornish, M.D. and John McDougall, M.D. agree that starch-based or vegan diets provide many health benefits. Rice, corn, potatoes and beans do not contain cholesterol, harmful toxins or allergy-producing proteins. People who follow starch-based diets have lower cholesterol levels, less heart disease and diabetes. They also have healthier body weights and lower health risks.

Significance

Eating starch-based diets help restore good health.

Advocates go a step further. Once health problems arise, starch-based diets can actually help restore good health. The American Dietetic Association agrees and maintains that a vegan diet is effective to lower health risks in many areas and is more effective for diabetics than the traditional diabetes diet.

References

• "The Huffington Post"; A Solution for Diabetes: A Plant-Based Diet; Kathy Freston; October 2009
• Dr. McDougall's Health and Medical Center: The Free McDougall Program
• Veg for Life: Veg How to
• "The McDougall Newsletter": A Starch-based Diet Supports Spontaneous Healing: Atherosclerosis, Arthritis, and sometimes Cancer

Resources

• Fat Free Vegan Recipes