Dr.Shayla Toombs-Withers, UT Erlanger Primary Care-Pineville Road; member, Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical SocietyQ: Can I benefit from consuming a plant-based diet?
A: As part of a healthy diet and to prevent some diseases, consuming a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can serve as a vital tool in improving your health. A plant-based diet includes a variety of foods including leafy greens, beans, potatoes, corn, oats, nuts, whole grains and fruit. The current standard American diet includes a large amount of meat, processed food, dairy and very few vegetables, fruit and whole grains, a diet shown to be a predominant factor in increasing rates of heart disease, diabetes, obesity and certain forms of cancer. The plant-based diet limits or avoids foods that are animal-based, including dairy product, eggs, meat and seafood.
– Dr. Shayla Toombs-Withers, UT Erlanger Primary Care-Pineville Road; member, Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society
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