Adherence
Greater dietary diversity (variety of foods) is associated with suboptimal eating patterns, higher energy intake, and increased risk of weight gain and obesity in adult populations.
Stop trying to eat a wide variety of foods as a strategy for weight loss. Instead, focus on eating a healthy pattern that emphasizes plant foods, protein, low-fat dairy, and limits sweets and processed foods. Variety in the context of a modern food environment often leads to consuming more calories and less healthy options.
recent evidence from observational studies suggests that greater dietary diversity is associated with suboptimal eating patterns, that is, higher intakes of processed foods, refined grains, and sugar-sweetened beverages and lower intakes of minimally processed foods, such as fish, fruits, and vegetables, and may be associated with weight gain and obesity in adult populations.
Why this rating
Based on observational studies and short-term feeding trials; limited by heterogeneity and lack of long-term randomized controlled trials.
Source
Dietary Diversity: Implications for Obesity Prevention in Adult Populations: A Science Advisory From the American Heart Association
Marcia C. de Oliveira Otto et al. · Circulation · 2018
DOI 10.1161/cir.0000000000000595
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