What is the Optimal Diet? CHIP Revisited
Those of you who were members of our UU church in 2000 probably remember the CHIP program. But I’ve just read about our Rockford program in a 2022 website, nutritionfacts.org. Our program is famous!
Dr. Hans Diehl, following in the footsteps of Pritikin and Ornish, designed a 30-day community education for lifestyle eating changes, based on the much more expensive residential programs of Pritikin and Ornish. CHIP refers to Coronary Health Improvement Program. His Rockford program was sponsored by Swedish American, but a major proponent and cheerleader was our minister, Rev. David Weissbard. Many of the 3,000 students of the program were members of our church and I suspect some of our members still adhere to its tenants.
Frank Dajka and I strayed from CHIP, but never really returned to the traditional American diet including pop, fast food and pizza. I still have one CHIP publication on my recipe bookshelf.
So, what is this “optimal diet?” Plant based foods. Today we call this a vegan diet in its pure form, meaning no meat, chicken, fish, dairy or eggs. The diet consists of fruits, vegetables, legumes (beans), cruciferous veggies, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and spices. It limits sugar, salt and fats.
If you remember CHIP, but, especially if you don’t, check out these videos at nutritionfacts.org. I’m hooked on Dr. Greger’s scientific explanations of the dangers of our American diet and his alternative. It’s not enough to live a long life; I want to enjoy that life as well.
What is the Optimal Diet? 5:14 min.
https://nutritionfacts.org/video/what-is-the-optimal-diet/
The Weight Loss Program That Got Better with Time. 4:49 min.
https://nutritionfacts.org/video/The-Weight-Loss-Program-That-Got-Better-with-Time
CHIP: The Complete Health Improvement Program. 5:13 min.
https://nutritionfacts.org/video/chip-the-complete-health-improvement-program/
A Workplace Wellness Program That Works. 5:46 min.
https://nutritionfacts.org/video/a-workplace-wellness-program-that-works/
Submitted by Teresa Wilmot