Tag Archives: vegetables

Fruits and Vegetables May Increase Lifespan, Decrease Cancer and Heart Disease

MedPageToday has some of the details.  A quote:

The largest benefits were seen in people who ate seven or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day compared with those who ate less than one serving, with the higher level of consumption associated with significantly lower all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 0.67; 95% CI 0.58-0.78), lead researcher Oyinlola Oyebode of University College London, and colleagues, reported online in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.

diabetic diet, paleobetic diet, low-carb diet

Prepping for bacon brussels sprouts 

The population under study was English. In addition to lower risk of death, the heavy fruit and vegetable consumers had lower rates of cancer and cardiovascular disease. Click for the actual research report.

If seven servings a day seems like a lot, note that a typical serving is only half a cup. You’ll get those with the Paleobetic Diet.

Steve Parker, M.D.

Do Vegetables and Fruits Prevent Disease?

Switching to the paleo diet often leads to increased vegetable and fruit consumption

Switching to the paleo diet often leads to increased vegetable and fruit consumption

Potential answers are in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2012).  I quote:

For hypertension, coronary heart disease, and stroke, there is convincing evidence that increasing the consumption of vegetables and fruit reduces the risk of disease. There is probable evidence that the risk of cancer in general is inversely associated with the consumption of vegetables and fruit. In addition, there is possible evidence that an increased consumption of vegetables and fruit may prevent body weight gain. As overweight is the most important risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus, an increased consumption of vegetables and fruit therefore might indirectly reduces the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Independent of overweight, there is probable evidence that there is no influence of increased consumption on the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus. There is possible evidence that increasing the consumption of vegetables and fruit lowers the risk of certain eye diseases, dementia and the risk of osteoporosis. Likewise, current data on asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and rheumatoid arthritis indicate that an increase in vegetable and fruit consumption may contribute to the prevention of these diseases. For inflammatory bowel disease, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy, there was insufficient evidence regarding an association with the consumption of vegetables and fruit.

It bothers me that vegetables and fruits are lumped together: they’re not the same.

The paleo diet is unfairly characterized as meat-centric. It can certainly provide beaucoup vegetables and fruits. Diabetics should be careful which ones they choose, to avoid spikes in blood sugar.

Steve Parker, M.D.

Recipe: Lemon-Pepper Chicken, Vegetable Medley, and Salad

paleo diet, Steve Parker MD, low-carb meal

Sauteed chicken and vegetables

This meal is a staple at our house. The chicken we use is frozen breast because it’s less expensive but tastes just as good as fresh. Use never-frozen chicken or another part of the chicken if you prefer. Remember the sitcom “Everybody Loves Raymond”?  Lemon chicken was Debra’s signature meal. Now you can make it!

The ingredients here are for two servings. We buy a large bag of vegetables called “vegetable medley” that has equal parts broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots.

Ingredients:

  • chicken breasts, boneless, skinless, frozen, 16 oz (450 g)
  • commercial lemon pepper seasoning (choose one with low sodium and the fewest non-paleo ingredients like sugar)
  • broccoli, fresh, raw, 4.5 oz (130 g)
  • cauliflower, fresh, raw, 4.5 oz (130 g)
  • carrots, fresh, raw, 4.5 oz (130 g), peeled and sliced
  • commercial low-sodium vegetable seasoning (e.g., Weber Roasted Garlic and Herb. We tried Mrs. Dash Seasoning Blend Garlic and Herb—didn’t work well with this)
  • lettuce, Romaine, 6 oz (170 g), bite-size chunks
  • tomatoes, raw, 6 oz (170 g), bite-size chunks
  • cucumber, raw, 4 oz (115 g), peeled and sliced
  • celery, raw, 4 oz (115 g), sliced
  • sunflower seeds kernels, dry roasted, w/o salt, 1 oz (30 g)
  • bacon bits (aka crumbled bacon), 2 tbsp (15 g)
  • olive oil, extra virgin, 5 tbsp (75 ml)
  • vinegar, 1 tbsp (15 ml) (your choice of red wine, white wine, balsamic, or apple cider vinegar)
  • garlic, raw, 1 clove, sliced very thinly
  • salt and pepper to taste (not counted in the nutritional analysis below)
  • lemon, fresh (optional)

Instructions:

paleo diet, Steve Parker MD, sauteing chicken, cooking chicken

Thick chicken breasts sliced down the middle and opened up like a clam (or butterfly) to reduce cooking time

Start on the chicken first. Sauté the breasts in a pan over medium heat. You don’t need to thaw it beforehand. While cooking, sprinkle with the lemon pepper seasoning. If the breasts are thick, you may want to “butterfly” them with a knife when half done, to speed up the cooking process. If you over-cook, the meat will be tougher. It should be done in roughly 10–15 minutes. While the chicken is cooking, get to work on your other items.

Cook the vegetables thusly. Put the broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots in a microwave-safe dish, add about four fl oz (120 ml) of water, and microwave (covered) on high for four minutes. If you don’t have a cover, just use a water-soaked paper towel. While they cook, heat 2 tbsp (30 ml) of the olive oil in a medium-sized pan over medium heat, with the garlic, for a couple minutes to release the garlic flavor. Drain the water off the microwaved vegetables, then sauté them in the olive oil pan for a couple minutes, stirring frequently. Add your commercial vegetable seasoning when you start sautéing or at any point thereafter, even at the table.

Steve Parker MD, paleo diet, vegetables, vegetable medley

Only $3.50 (USD) for this whole bag of Vegetable Medley at Sam’s Club

Finally the salad. In a large bowl, place the lettuce, tomatoes, sunflower seeds, cucumber, celery, bacon bits, 3 tbsp (45 ml) olive oil, and vinegar. Mix thoroughly.

For a bit of zing, you might enjoy a few squirts of fresh lemon juice on the vegetables or salad just before eating.

Servings: 2

Nutritional Analysis Per Serving:

  • 55% fat
  • 12% carbohydrate
  • 32% protein
  • 800 calories
  • 27 g carbohydrate
  • 11 g fiber
  • 16 g digestible carb
  • 970 mg sodium (not counting any you add, such as in commercial seasonings)
  • 1830 mg potassium
  • Prominent features: rich in protein, A, B6, C, E, copper, iron, manganese, niacin, pantothenic acid, phosphorus, and selenium

Which Vegetables Are Low in Carbohydrate Content?

Laura Dolson over at About.com has a helpful list of low-carb veggies.  Helpful if you experience excessive

blood sugar spikes from high-carb items, or if you’re restricting carbs for weight management.

-Steve