Plant-Based Diet Quality Matters

Research is starting to support the benefits of quality over a general type of diet, such as vegan, vegetarian, or plant-based. It only makes sense, as a plant-based diet could technically be based on refined, poor-nutrient foods, such as soda, French fries, and brownies. These are made out of plants, so they are plant-based. But a diet rich in these foods is nothing compared to one comprised of whole plant foods, like steel cut oats, apricots, peanuts, lentils, and spinach.

Indeed, a study found that this concept of diet quality appears to be true. A plant-based diet of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes was linked to a lower risk of coronary heart disease, while a plant-based diet focused on refined grains, juices, potatoes, and desserts was associated with a higher risk of CHD, according to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Look for more research to support this concept in the coming months.

Read more about this study here.

Main image: Roasted Asparagus with Harissa Spiced Sorghum, Sharon Palmer, RDN