What Is a Healthy Diet?

The foods to eat and the foods to avoid for optimal health and well-being

Eating a healthy diet is one of the primary therapeutic lifestyle changes I recommend for optimal health and well-being. A healthy diet is a powerful tool for preventing and treating serious degenerative diseases—particularly heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. But what is a healthy diet?

Foods You Should Eat

Research and treating patients at the Whitaker Wellness Institute have proven that including certain foods in your diet every day can have a tremendous positive effect on your health and well-being.

In a nutshell, a healthy diet contains:

• Lots of legumes and vegetables and a little fruit
• Healthy carbohydrates
• Adequate servings of protein
• Modest amounts of healthy fats
• Plenty of water

Foods You Should Avoid

It goes without saying, but to eat a healthy diet, you also need to avoid specific foods. There are many foods—especially when eaten in excess—that can increase your risk of serious degenerative diseases and other health problems.

But I firmly believe that the most problematic are those that contain sugar and salt. I have no doubt that they are the main culprits in our diabetes, heart disease, and obesity epidemics.

I know from personal experience that changing your eating habits isn’t easy. But if you commit to incorporating these healthy diet guidelines into your daily life, you’ll be well on your way to optimal health and well-being.

More Dr. Whitaker Advice on Optimal Health

• Natural approaches for managing stress
• Engage in regular exercise
• Natural solutions for better sleep