The Pritikin diet is a heart healthy diet developed in the 1960s and is high in carbohydrates, low in fat, and requires moderate daily exercise as a part of the lifestyle.
The original Pritikin diet plan was devised by Nathan Pritikin, an engineer diagnosed with heart disease at the age of 42. He developed a diet plan by practice, which is now known as the Pritikin diet plan.
While Pritikin committed suicide after being diagnosed with cancer at the age of 69 his autopsy report showed no sign of heart disease. Upon his death, his son Robert took over the Pritikin Longevity Center in Florida, and further developed his father's work leading to a 2000 update of his father's book, “The Pritikin Principle: The Calorie Density Solution.”
Pritikin diet foods are high in whole grains and dietary fiber, low in cholesterol, and very low in fats. This results in Pritikin diet plans offering nutritionally balanced meals that are not coming from “calorie-dense foods,” though with comparatively lower levels of protein. Pritikin plan followers are advised to adopt low-calorie Pritikin diet foods that make them feel full even with lower number of calories. These healthier and more balanced foods augment nutrition with moderate exercises such as daily 45 minute stretching and physical activity enhancement.
The Pritikin diet foods usually contain up to about 400 calories per pound, with most vegetables falling below 200 calories per pound. In conjunction with lean meat and starches, these manage to make up to the mark of 400 calories per serving.
Pritikin diet foods include vegetables, fruits, beans, and natural and unprocessed whole grains. The Pritikin diet plan focuses on natural carbohydrate-rich foods and whole grains, vegetables, and fruits that include brown rice, barley, millet, lettuces, oats, potatoes, squashes, onions, beans of various varieties, pears, apples, strawberries and bananas.
This menu can be a pure vegan menu that is healthy, balanced, and nutritious. For non vegans, inclusion of small portions of low-fat dairy products can turn the Pritikin diet foods into a more balanced vegetarian Pritikin diet plan.
Further inclusion of smaller portions of lean beef, chicken, and meat with omega-3-fatty acid rich seafood can help make your life active and keep your heart safe as well. In addition, the Pritikin diet plans recommend drinking highly antioxidant rich decaf tea and green tea. Lowering of salt content and inclusion of artificial sweeteners in the diet can also be helpful.
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