Legumes and Whole Grains
Legumes include beans, lentils, and peas. They are a great source of fiber and protein, and they are far less expensive than animal protein per ounce. Interestingly, a cross-cultural, worldwide study conducted by the World Health Organization showed that eating more legumes meant longer lives for the elderly, regardless of their ethnicity.11 Remember the blue zones discussed earlier with extraordinary rates of longevity? We can all emulate the Okinawans, who feast on generous amounts of miso and tofu (traditional foods based on soybeans), and the Sardinians, whose plates are enriched with chickpeas, cannellini beans, and lentils. Whole grains include oats, brown rice, barley, quinoa, buckwheat, wild rice, and millet. It's best to eat these as close to their natural form as possible. When choosing whole grains that are packaged, read the labels. It's not uncommon to find a box of cereal that is labeled “whole grain,” but when you read the label, you find that it is ...