Just got an excited note from a member of the most recent 30-Day Nutrition Upgrade group:
“My cholesterol is 194! First time it has been under 200 in several years. Thanks for nutrition advice that works!”
Although the 30-day Nutrition Upgrade is not a cholesterol-lowering program per se, I’m not at all surprised by this news.
One of the things that makes the 30-Day Upgrade unique is that it’s not just about limiting unhealthy foods, such as those containing added sugars and refined flour. We spend just as much time focusing on the foods we want to eat more of, such as vegetables, nuts, and legumes.
Because adding is simply more fun than subtracting. And when it comes to lowering cholesterol, adding healthy foods can be even more effective than limiting unhealthy choices.
A 2011 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, found that adding foods like nuts and dried beans to the diet was four times more effective in reducing LDL cholesterol than cutting back on saturated fat.
And a more recent study, just published in the Journal of Nutrition, found that those who ate a handful of almonds as a snack every day instead of a muffin–which is a popular Upgrade swap as well–saw a reduction in LDL, with no reduction in their “good” HDL cholesterol.
(We also don’t usually think of adding foods as a way to lose weight. Yet about half of participants report losing several pounds during the 30-day Upgrade.)
Ready to upgrade your nutrition? The next 30-Day Upgrade starts soon. Learn more and save your spot here.
Great topic Monica, I am a firm believer in adding to your diet, not just cutting. I think just from the psychological perspective it’s great to increase a part of your diet instead of just hearing what you need to take away (at least for me personally it’s a nice change of pace). Thanks for the post, and the reference links, the research is informative.