“Poor diet is responsible for a large proportion of premature deaths, i.e. those that could be prevented. It is even a factor many times more important than lack of exercise, and even smoking and alcohol,” warns nutritional epidemiologist Eliška Selinger. For example, sausages and too much salt are a problem for Czechs. But we also eat significantly less fruit and vegetables than we need.
“We know that labeling food on the front of the packaging is a very effective strategy, not only in the context of highly industrialized foods, but in general to promote healthy nutrition. Unfortunately, the Czech Republic missed its opportunity a bit when there was a pan-European discussion on the introduction of the so-called nutriscore,” says the nutritional epidemiologist Eliška Selinger on how easily Czechs could find out which diet to benefit their health.
Selinger warns of how much diet plays a role in premature deaths, as evidenced by a recent study on highly processed foods, which linked these foods to more than thirty harmful health effects.
“But it makes a difference if I buy a really cheap cookie, which is basically just a mixture of an absolutely incredible amount of sugar and cheap fat with a little flour, or if I get a higher quality snack, for example partly made of wholemeal flour and a smaller amount of sugar,” explains the expert , that one can always choose what one likes in the store without harming one’s health in the long term. However, they must observe certain rules.
The nutritional therapist also explains what a so-called healthy plate should look like. “Half of this plate – really the basis – is fruit and vegetables. I would like to point out, however, that this does not mean salad, but perhaps also vegetable sauce, even tenderloin,” explains Selinger. The larger quarter of the plate should then be proteins, followed by a side dish supplemented with healthy fat.
And according to the expert, can we say whether vegetarians and vegans are healthier? “It can’t. In short, there is no such thing as a miracle diet, and every diet system has its advantages and disadvantages. But it’s about how a person builds a specific diet to maximize the benefits and, on the contrary, minimize the risks,” adds the expert.
