Focus on Dietary Patterns, Not Food Items

Harvard’s Health Professionals Follow-up study examined the effect of dietary patterns, rather than individual foods, on U.S. men’s health.

The researchers found men who ate a lot of red meat, processed meat, refined grains and sweets were 64 percent more likely to develop heart disease than men with the most prudent diets.

The best diet features generous amounts of fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, olive oil and fish, according to the July issue of Harvard Men’s Health Watch.

A healthful diet is also low in saturated fat from meat and whole dairy products, trans-fatty acids from fried foods and snack foods, salty foods, refined grains and concentrated sweets.

Often the barrier to change is a preoccupation with specific choices such as eggs, oatmeal or raisin bran. Individual choices are meaningful, but if they fit into a sound overall dietary pattern there will be plenty of wiggle room, the newsletter advises.

Bottom line: When it comes to diet, men who pay attention to the big picture can occasionally eat the bad foods they love.