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J Geriatr Cardiol. 2017 May; 14(5): 315.
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1. Definition of a plant-based diet
A plant-based diet consists of all minimally processed fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds, herbs, and spices and excludes all animal products, including red meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products.
2. Overview
As a practicing cardiologist, I have had the opportunity to witness the profound beneficial impact plant-based nutrition has on cardiovascular health.[1],[2] Having learned about this lifestyle years after my formal training, I was struck by how profoundly my patients' health improved subsequent to this singular change. Prior to recommending a plant-based diet, despite pursuing guideline-based medical therapy, providing procedures as needed, and recommending a Mediterranean style diet, patients' improvements were frankly, modest.
These experiences led me to begin our Cardiac Wellness Program at Montefiore where we encourage patients to adopt a plant-based diet with the goal of preventing and reversing disease. The program's results have revived my love for cardiology, as patients keep returning healthier and feeling better than they have in years. Accordingly, I have seen patients avoid coronary artery bypass surgery, arterial stents, bariatric surgery, and more. Patients have come off multiple medications as they reversed their diabetes, high blood pressure, and hyperlipidemia. I had rarely, if ever, seen that before.
Based on a detailed review of the literature and my clinical experiences, I believe that encouraging our patients to adopt a plant-based diet and exposing students, trainees, and other practitioners to it should be at the foundation of our approach to health care.
This Special Issue will review the beneficial impact of a plant-based diet on cardiovascular disease and its risk factors. It will discuss practical ways to incorporate plant-based nutrition into your practice and to help your patients adopt it.
As Hippocrates said, “let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”
Footnotes
This article is part of a Special Issue “A plant-based diet and cardiovascular disease”.
Guest Editors: Robert J Ostfeld & Kathleen E Allen
References
1. Massera D, Graf L, Barba S, Ostfeld R. Angina rapidly improved with a plant-based diet and returned after resuming a Western diet. J Geriatr Cardiol. 2016;13:364–366. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
2. Massera D, Zaman T, Farren GE, Ostfeld RJ. A whole-food plant-based diet reversed angina without medications or procedures. Case Rep Cardiol. 2015;2015:978906. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
Articles from Journal of Geriatric Cardiology : JGC are provided here courtesy of Institute of Geriatric Cardiology, Chinese PLA General Hospital
FAQs
A plant-based diet consists of all minimally processed fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds, herbs, and spices and excludes all animal products, including red meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products.
What is plant-based diet overview? ›
The diet consists primarily of food made of plants: fruits and vegetables in addition to nuts, seeds, whole grains, and legumes. A plant-based diet is not a vegetarian or vegan diet; you can eat poultry, beef, eggs, fish, and dairy products, however most of your nutrient intake is coming from plant-based food sources.
What are the problems with plant-based diets? ›
Studies elsewhere have found that vegan diets can be deficient in other micronutrients, including vitamin D, iodine, selenium, riboflavin and vitamin B12. The latter can be particularly problematic, since it does not occur in plants, therefore vegans must rely on taking vitamin B12 supplements to acquire enough.
What should be included in a plant-based diet? ›
The general breakdown of a plant-based diet
- Vegetables (such as spinach, carrots, broccoli, bell peppers, cauliflower, asparagus, kale)
- Fruits (such as strawberries, blueberries, apples, pears, oranges, avocado, raspberries, kiwi fruit, peaches)
- Whole grains (such as brown rice, quinoa, barley, oats, buckwheat, bulgur)
Fruits: berries, citrus fruits, pears, peaches, pineapple, bananas, etc. Vegetables: kale, spinach, tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, asparagus, peppers, etc. Starchy vegetables: potatoes, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, etc. Whole grains: brown rice, rolled oats, farro, quinoa, brown rice pasta, barley, etc.
What is the definition of a plant-based diet and overview of this special issue? ›
A plant-based diet consists of "all minimally processed fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds, herbs, and spices and excludes all animal products, including red meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products" (Ostfeld, 2017; Szabó et al., 2016).
What foods should you avoid on a plant-based diet? ›
You'll restrict grains and foods made with them, such as bread and pasta. You also limit starchy vegetables like potatoes and corn, as well as beans and legumes. And you'll cut high-sugar tropical fruits such as pineapple, mango, and bananas, as well as fruit juices and sweets.
Do you eat eggs on a plant-based diet? ›
In other words, plants were paired with protein sources, like eggs, to make a nutritious and well rounded meal. Eggs can and should be part of a plant-based diet, and these five suggestions showcase how easy it is to incorporate the incredible egg into your plant-forward dishes.
What are the rules for plant-based diet? ›
Here are some tips to help you get started on a plant-based diet.
- Eat lots of vegetables. ...
- Change the way you think about meat. ...
- Choose good fats. ...
- Cook a vegetarian meal at least one night a week. ...
- Include whole grains for breakfast. ...
- Go for greens. ...
- Build a meal around a salad. ...
- Eat fruit for dessert.
Plants are high in fiber.
Eating a plant-based diet improves the health of your gut so you are better able to absorb the nutrients from food that support your immune system and reduce inflammation. Fiber can lower cholesterol and stabilize blood sugar and it's great for good bowel management.
Is Pasta Vegan? Unfortunately, not all pasta is vegan. We've found pastas of all varieties, from spaghetti to lasagna noodles, with eggs in the ingredient lists. But don't worry—there are widely available vegan pastas that don't involve eggs or dairy and don't skimp on the texture you've come to love.
What are the super six plant-based foods? ›
Spotlight the Super Six:
When it comes to the plants you eat, you want to eat from across the six different plant groups: vegetables, fruits, wholegrains, legumes (beans and pulses), nuts and seeds, and herbs and spices.
What are the principles of a plant-based diet? ›
A whole-food, plant-based diet is based on the following principles: ”Whole foods”: Natural foods that are not heavily processed. That means whole, unrefined, or minimally refined ingredients. free of animal ingredients such as meat, milk, eggs, or honey.
Can I eat eggs on a plant-based diet? ›
Eggs can and should be part of a plant-based diet, and these five suggestions showcase how easy it is to incorporate the incredible egg into your plant-forward dishes.
What happens to your body when you go plant-based? ›
Plants are high in fiber.
Eating a plant-based diet improves the health of your gut so you are better able to absorb the nutrients from food that support your immune system and reduce inflammation. Fiber can lower cholesterol and stabilize blood sugar and it's great for good bowel management.
