Eat, Drink and Live Longer
The latest diet trend isn’t about deprivation – it’s learning which foods help you to live better
We are surrounded by diet fads, from counting calories and eating nothing but cabbage soup to trying foods of just one colour and even living off baby purees.
Most are of these diets are short-term or unrealistic, but the new book The Telomere Effect offers simple suggestions for a sustainable diet, which will help keep you full of energy, beat cravings, and – here’s the best bit – turn back the clock.
The Telomere Effect advises a diet rich in foods that are high in omega-3s, such as oily fish and leafy vegetables, as well as fruit and vegetables that are high in flavonoids and antioxidants, such as blue and purple berries, tomatoes and kale.
By filling up on these foods you encourage your cell’s ‘telomeres’ to grow and flourish, which will protect you against all manners of diseases and the early onset of old age. Starvation and strictness are off the menu, and still your tummy will certainly become trimmer.
Too much refined sugar is the enemy of The Telomere Effect diet, as it is not only packed with empty calories, but can wreak havoc on your body, ageing you inside and out. Red meat, very fatty foods and white bread are also not advised. The Good news is you can still have a glass or two of wine.
Telomere Shortening Foods
Ones to avoiud include:
Red meat, processed meat
White bread
Sweetened drinks
Foods high in saturated fat
Vegetable oils, such as grapeseed and sunflower
unhealthy snacks including most crisps and biscuits (anything high in omega-6 polyunsaturated fats)
Alcohol (drink no more than four units per day)
Telomere Lengthening Foods
One to eat more of include:
Wholegrain produce such as brown rice, brown pasta, brown bread
All fruits and vegetables, but especially those containing high levels of antioxidants, flavonoids and/or carotenoids (such as red, purple and blue berries, red and purple grapes, apples, kale, broccoli, yellow onions, spring onions, tomatoes, plums, carrots, green leafy vegetables and, in smaller portions, potatoes without skins)
Nuts and legumes, such as beans, peas and lentils
Seaweed
Foods with omega-3 oils, including salmon, mackerel, tuna, sardines, eggs, broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower
Low-fat, high-quality sources of protein, such as organic free-range chicken
Seeds
Green tea
Coffee
The Telomere Effect is out now
The Best Snacks
Healthy on-the-go food doesn’t start and end with carrot sticks- try one of these nutrition-packed and balanced bars
Bounce Energy Peanut Blast
Pulsin
Nakd
Rude Health
Clif Bar crunchy peanut butter
