[ad_1]
Have you ever heard of the Portfolio Diet? This approach is used by people to structure their meals, providing various cardiovascular benefits similar to the famous Mediterranean diet.
As CNBC reports, it came into existence in the early 2000s and was introduced by Dr. David Jenkins, associated with the University of Toronto as a professor in the department of nutritional sciences.
Portfolio Diet: How Does It Work?
Dr. Jenkins links healthy eating to smart financial investments. He told The New York Times that in an investment portfolio, people look forward to “spreading the risks and benefits” and trying to maximize their financial returns.
Similarly, people need to pay attention to foods that help reduce cholesterol levels. By doing this they can easily reduce the risk of heart disease.
Also read: Know 4 psychological symptoms related to sexual jealousy in men
Portfolio diet: what to eat?
Like the Mediterranean diet, the foods eaten under the Portfolio diet are rich in fiber, healthy fats, as well as plant sources of protein. These include:
Legumes (this includes soybean products like tofu and soy milk)
Seed
crazy
Extra virgin olive oil, canola oil, and avocado
Fruit
vegetables
Experts say that all of these have some properties that can help in reducing cholesterol levels.
Last year, Andrea Glenn, an assistant professor in New York University’s department of nutrition and food studies, told Harvard Health Publishing that “viscous fiber” is one of a variety of soluble fibers that “have some degree of sticky properties.”
It is commonly found in eggplant, chia seeds, barley, and oats, among others.
According to CNBC, under the Portfolio diet, recommended servings on a daily basis include viscous fiber (20 grams), nuts and seeds (45 grams), plant-based proteins (50 grams), plant sterols (2 grams), oils or monounsaturated fats (45 grams).
Additionally, there are certain foods that people following the Portfolio diet are required to avoid. These include red meat, butter, cream, some daily produce, saturated fats and ultra-processed foods.
Glenn suggested that this is not an “all or nothing approach”.
“You can take your own diet and make some small changes and see cardiovascular benefits,” Glenn said.
Also read: New study says skipping breakfast does not slow brain functioning or reduce focus in adults
Benefits of Portfolio Diet
Several studies led by Jenkins have found a reduced risk of heart disease in individuals following the Portfolio diet. The eating patterns have resulted in “bad cholesterol” levels being reduced by about 30 percent, especially in individuals with high cholesterol. However, more detailed research is needed to declare the portfolio diet suitable for healthy individuals.
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions you may have about a medical condition.
[ad_2]
