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Clarifying the Confusion: Dr Esselstyn Responds
Thursday, August 29, 2013
QUESTION: “I recently read this interview and it seems like Dr Esselstyn is now saying to completely avoid all sugars. I also went to Plantstock where I thought he said boiling is the best way to cook kale. In addition, they served kale at every meal and in his talk, he said to make sure we are consuming 6 servings per day. Does this mean I have to eat 6 servings of kale a day? Lastly, in this interview, it seems like he is saying that for the best results in losing weight, avoid most all grains, cereals and potatoes. Are any of these true?”
ANSWER: In order to clarify these issues, I spoke with Dr Esselstyn and here are his responses to each one.
In regard to how to cook veggies and if boiling was the best way...
"Cook vegetables anyway you choose…steam, boil, steam-saute… Your choice. We find boiling kale and collards keeps them green and they cook faster. Places that serve kale to big groups boil it!"
In regard to eating "kale" 6x a day.
"I recommend greens (which includes broccoli, cauliflower, bok-choy, Swiss chard, kale, collards, beet greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, Napa cabbage, Brussels, sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, cilantro, parsley, spinach, arugula, etc) 6 times a day for those specific people who have significant cardiovascular issues, especially angina. I have never said "kale" itself 6 times a day but "greens," as in the jingle. Six times a day is not for everyone though it would be good for everyone to include greens in their diets as much as possible. Not just a few spinach leaves."
In regard to eliminating potatoes, grains, cereals, etc for weight loss...
Dr Esselstyn meant that for those of you who are having trouble losing weight, to reduce or eliminate the calorie dense & more processed carbohydrates made from flour products like bread, bagels, crackers, dry cereals, etc and to focus more on the foods lower in calorie density. He completely & fully supports the inclusion of intact whole grains & potatoes (of all varieties) even for those needing to lose weight.
In regard to eliminating all sugars...
“I am surprised that so many have said that I was absolute. I would prefer that people know that eating sugar is something that has the potential to injure their endothelial cells, however, with that note of caution most people will sensibly restrict their sugar intake without having to regard it as absolute.
I have always been reticent to give any specific number or percentage, as eating should be spontaneous and not developed from a calculator. I want people to have the knowledge that fructose can injure and merely ask as a favor to their endothelial cells that they sensibly restrict it.”
Now, it is not for me to put words in his mouth or speak for him and he is not one to give a specific guideline, but the guideline I have always used when working with Pritikin, Dr McDougall and with Dr Esselstyn, is no more than 5% of calories. Now, the 5% is not a recommendation or a goal to achieve but a guideline for an acceptable maximum limit similar to the Tolerable Upper Limit. For those few who are very sensitive and find that at ~5% of calories, they still have high TG's or high blood sugars, then they may need to be more restrictive
In Health
Jeff