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Definition of a healthy diet?

Page last modified on: October 16, 2008
Question from Syd: Please define "healthy" diet. I've heard everything from eating carefully to total macrobiotic diet. Which way is the way to go?
Answers —Cyndi Thomson, Ph.D., R.D.: I would say there is no one healthy diet; it really needs to be individualized. Macrobiotic diets tend to be more restrictive and difficult to follow and may lead to nutrient deficiency. Vegetarian diets, while generally considered healthy, could also lead to deficiency of some nutrients, such as calcium, iron, or B12. The Mediterranean Diet is another healthy diet or eating plan that one could consider. Again you may want to meet with a registered dietitian to pick the best healthy diet for you. And don't forget physical activity.

Editor's Note: The Mediterranean Diet includes generous servings of fruits and vegetables as well as healthy fats such as canola oil and olive oil. The diet also includes fish, nuts, and very little red meat.
Melinda Irwin, Ph.D., M.P.H.: Make sure you eat a varied diet and monitor your daily or weekly intake and observe any patterns or cravings. Do you eat after 8 p.m.? Do you tend to eat a lot of pastas or high-salt foods, for example? But variety is probably a good way to initiate change.
Cyndi Thomson, Ph.D., R.D.: And portion control.

On Wednesday, April 18, 2007, the Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Weight Management During and After Breast Cancer Treatment. Cyndi Thomson, Ph.D., R.D. and Melinda Irwin Ph.D., M.P.H. answered your questions on managing weight during and after breast cancer treatment.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Cyndi Thomson, Ph.D., R.D.Cyndi Thomson, Ph.D., R.D. is an associate professor in Nutritional Sciences at the University of Arizona - with joint appointments in medicine and public health.

Melinda Irwin, Ph.D., M.P.H. is an assistant professor in the department of Epidemiology and Public Health at Yale School of Medicine.

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