Serves: 5

Today as never before people have become concerned about being and staying healthy. As a result there has been a bombardment of information about health, diet, exercise, foods and nutrition from magazines, newsletters, television, radio talk shows, ect., making it difficult to evaluate what is valid and what is not. Based on thousands of studies, the relationship between diet and disease has become more and more evident. Of the ten leading causes of death in the United State, five are now seen as being diet-related. Specifically, a diet too high in fats and two low in fruits, vegetables, and grains clearly raises a person's risk of heart disease, some cancers, stroke, adult onset diabetes and atherosclerosis (hardening of the blood vessels). For many Americans, the link between diet and disease continues at the least to be under appreciated.

The Japanese have the world's highest life expectancy, surpassing Americans in the 1970's and the Swedes in this decade. It is felt that the main reason Japanese live long lives is their healthy diet. Their diet tends to be low in fat and high in fiber, heavy on fish, vegetables and grains, light on beef and dairy products. The Japanese have cholesterol counts that are 20% or more below those found in the United States, and as a result they have one of the lowest levels of heart disease in the world.

Dana has incorporated the sound priciples of a nutritionally balanced diet of water, vegetables, grains, proteins, and fruits into a cookbook with recipes and meal plans that will help you develop a new way of life of healthy eating. As the cook and food shopper you have control over what and how your family eats. It can be a fun challenge to prepare nutritious meals or even take your own favorite recipes and make then healthier for your whole family. It is important to follow Dana's enthusiasm and vitality to get you through each day.

Again, remember, this program is not a quick fix. It does not offer caloric or nutrient starvation for your body! It is a way of life that, if followed should help you to be a healthier, leaner, and much happier person.

Best wishes on becoming a healthier you.

Mary K. Beard, M.D. FACOG