Four Best and Worst Longevity Foods
These four best and four worst foods simplify the Blue Zones food guidelines: Favor beans, greens, root vegetables, fruit, whole grains, nuts, and seeds. People in four of the five “Blue Zones” consume meat, but they do so sparingly, using it as a celebratory food, a small side, or a way to flavor dishes.
FOUR ALWAYS:
- 100% Whole Grains: Farro, quinoa, brown rice, oatmeal, bulgur, cornmeal
- Nuts & Seeds: A handful a day
- Beans, Legumes, Pulses: A cup of cooked beans / pulses per day
- Fruits and Vegetables: 5-10 servings per day
FOUR TO AVOID:
- Sugar-Sweetened Beverages: Empty calories
- Salty Snacks (Potato chips, Cheese doodles, etc): Too much salt and preservatives
- Packaged Sweets (Candy, Packaged cookies and sweets): Empty calories, preservatives, additives
- Processed Meats (Bacon, Sausage, Cold cuts): Linked to cancer, heart disease