Moderation diet a myth
HOW TO GET PLANT-BASED IN YOUR MEALS TO OFFSET THOSE PROCESSED FOODS
Generations of Australians grew up believing “all things in moderation”. But nutritionist and podcaster Simon Hill, author of new book The Proof is in the Plants, says Australia’s chronic disease statistics show there is nothing moderate about our consumption of ultra-processed foods and animal products – and that sensible sentiment has become a smokescreen for a nation making increasingly poor dietary choices.
His book unpacks the science of plant-based health benefits – which are not new - fruit and veg were always food pyramid heroes - but Hill goes further by advocating a plantexclusive diet, although his practical realism welcomes concessions along the way.
Here, he breaks down the basics with SMARTdaily.
WHAT IS YOUR ‘WHY’?
Hill’s own ‘Why?’ for making dietary changes was walking in on his 41year-old father having a massive heart attack when he was just a 15year-old.
“That was an experience for me, to see what loss of health looked like and how helpless we can be,” he says. “Everyone’s ‘Why?’ will be different. Why is it important for you to make these changes in your life? It might be related to your children or because you’re experiencing poor health.
“The reason that cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death in Australia, runs in families is because families adopt the same lifestyle.”
FATIGUE IS NOT YOUR FATE
Many of us normalise feeling tired and lethargic but Hill says exhaustion is not inevitable once you reach a certain age or stage of life.
“You shouldn’t be waking up feeling like you’ve been hit by a bus, (but) a lot of people have come to accept that (feeling) as a normal part of ageing,” Hill says.
“Nothing will beat setting up an overall better lifestyle. Those basic pillars: eating nourishing foods consistently, sleep routine, staying hydrated. People need to pause for a moment and check in with themselves.”
NO CHEESE AND WINE? SAY IT ISN’T SO!
Refreshingly, Hill says to keep your deal-breakers on the table.
“If the sticking point is cheese and wine, keep it in,” he says. “It may stay in there forever for you and that’s fine if we move everything else in your diet toward a healthier dietary pattern. You’re moving in the right direction anyway – it’s not an all or nothing play.
“Take the pressure off.
“This isn’t about becoming perfect overnight and it is certainly not about removing all the joy from food.”
SCIENCE VS SOCIAL MEDIA
Hill suggests ignoring incessant dietary chatter on social media and tuning in to peak medical and scientific bodies that actually set dietary guidelines.
“It’s important that when we’re making our dietary choices and we adopt a dietary pattern that it’s based on rigorous science,” he says. “The science is showing there is a way of eating that will lead to good, longterm health. Those guidelines are really important. Don’t just take only what I say as proof and don’t just take what someone else says on social media. I want to immunise the reader against misinformation.”