The Starch Solution

I'm generally leery of all "diets" that sway too much one way or another.  I believe that a healthy body doesn't only involve weight loss, though that's a primary component, perhaps even the most important one.  I also believe that a healthy body is one where blood pressure, artery health, blood sugar, cholesterol and triglycerides are all optimally maintained, and cancer risks are reduced.

Dr. McDougall makes a compelling argument for the consumption of lots of starch with a reduction of meat and dairy, citing older generations of Asians having healthier bodies, and also maintaining diets high in rice and vegetables.  He backs up this statement with evidence from working for Hamakua Sugar Company on the Big Island, and the idea resonates with me, as I know lot of older Asians and see how their eating habits affected their health.

I'm not convinced that, as he states in his book, one can add 4 cups of rice to their diet every day and be healthy, but what I do take away is that starch keeps you satiated, and it's wise to reduce animal protein.

With that in mind, I intend to try to eat just enough starch to keep me satiated, reduce my meat consumption, and eat a lot more fruits and vegetables.