---
title: Does a Healthy Diet Prevent Chronic Disease?
date: 2012-09-13T23:24:14Z
modified: 2012-09-13T23:24:14Z
permalink: "https://elizabethyarnell.com/does-a-healthy-diet-prevent-chronic-disease/"
type: post
status: publish
excerpt: ""
wpid: 2471
categories:
  - Kids
  - Living Naturally
  - Natural Remedies
  - Nutrition in the News
  - Weight Loss
tags:
  - cure chronic disease. DASH diet
  - foods for healthy diet
  - healthy diet
  - healthy eating diet
  - healthy weight loss diet plan
  - Medeterranean diet plan
  - what is a healthy diet
author: Elizabeth
---

Studies have shown that a [poor diet is a major contributor to chronic disease and illness in the U.S](http://www.medscape.org/viewarticle/769479?src=cmemp "poor diet linked to disease")., and, in fact, a healthy diet can significantly improve health outcomes in chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

![My Plate, DASH diet, healthy diet](http://img.medscape.com/article/769/218/769218-figure-1.jpg "My Plate - DASH diet")

The DASH diet is graphically pictured in this My Plate illustration.[The American College of Preventive Medicine](http://www.medscape.org/viewarticle/769479?src=cmemp "american college of preventive medicine") recommends two dietary plans that both have solid research proving their success in combating weight gain and preventing chronic disease:

- the [Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet](http://www.medscape.org/viewarticle/769479?src=cmemp "Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension DASH diet")
- the [Mediterranean diet](http://www.medscape.org/viewarticle/769479?src=cmemp "Medeterranean diet plan")

Both of these plans emphasize eating whole, unprocessed foods over pre-packaged, processed products, and are heavy in fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Beyond that, DASH is more about portion control while the Mediterranean diet has more of a focus on eating fish, and also includes alcohol, which is definitely a bonus.

But adopting either healthy eating plan – even if you only follow 80% of the plan, 80% of the time– will help you lead a healthier life now and in the future.