a “minimally-processed” day would start with a breakfast of greek yogurt parfait with strawberries, bananas, walnuts and olive oil along with apple slices dipped in freshly squeezed lemon juice. lunch was chicken breast, apple slices, bulgur, sunflower seeds and grapes accompanied by a spinach salad with a vinaigrette of olive oil, fresh squeezed lemon juice, apple cider vinegar and ground mustard seed. dinner consisted of roast beef and a side of rice pilaf made with basmati rice, garlic, onions, sweet peppers and olive oil. there was steamed broccoli as well as a salad of lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and orange slices with balsamic vinaigrette. daily snacks were oranges, apples, raisins, almonds, and walnuts.
the results were stunning. on the ultra-processed diet, people ate about 500 calories more per day, resulting in a weight gain of two pounds over two weeks! for the first time, a study actually showed that processed foods were not only associated with but were the cause of weight gain! next challenge is to find out why. in the meantime, this study gives me an extra line to add to my “oscillating clock” demo patter.
joe schwarcz is director of mcgill university’s office for science & society (mcgill.ca/oss). he hosts the dr. joe show on cjad radio 800 am every sunday from 3 to 4 p.m.