A new study suggests that middle-aged individuals looking to avoid weight gain may not need to make complicated changes to their diet. Researchers in the United States analyzed over two decades of data from almost 137,000 people and found that those who consumed more whole grains, fruits, and non-starchy vegetables, while limiting refined grains, starchy vegetables, and sugary drinks, experienced less weight gain. The study, recently published in the BMJ, indicates that the quality of carbohydrates in one’s diet is more important than the amount consumed.
Senior author Walter Willett, a professor of epidemiology and nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, stated, “You want to increase whole grains and limit starchy vegetables.” The study is significant because, until now, there has been a lack of research illustrating the effect of reducing refined grains, starchy vegetables, and sugary drinks on weight gain.
This study emphasizes the importance of incorporating whole grains, fruits, and non-starchy vegetables into one’s diet, while reducing the consumption of refined grains, starchy vegetables, and sugary drinks. By making these adjustments, individuals may be able to mitigate weight gain during middle age.
Source: NBC News