In a new study led by the University of Michigan Health System, women more than doubled their fruit and vegetable intakes and dramatically increased their consumption of "good" fats when they were counseled by licensed nutrition professionals and provided with a list of guidelines on the amount of certain foods they should eat each day.
The six-month study of 69 women divided the participants into two groups. In one group, dietitians used an "exchange list" of foods that are common in a Mediterranean diet to make a plan for each participant. The new plan maintained the caloric and total fat intakes that the participants consumed at the beginning of the study. The list included suggested servings, or exchanges, of several categories of foods—such as dark green vegetables, such as spinach, or high-monounsaturated fats, such olive oil. The dietitians also provided counseling on the telephone to help the participants to make the dietary changes, as well as in-person sessions at the start of the study and three months later.
Women in the comparison group continued their usual diet and did not receive any dietary counseling. If their intake of any vitamin or mineral was less than two-thirds of the recommended levels, they were given a list of foods that are rich in that nutrient.
The study appeared in the December issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association.
Bonnie - we are seeing more and more data about the importance of getting professional advice to make dietary changes. Most of you reading this know this already.
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