How Not to Die: Discover the Foods Scientifically Proven to Prevent and Reverse Disease

by Michael Greger

public health authorities to say what’s best and let people make up their own minds. Figure 5 That’s why I appreciate the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) recommendations. Not beholden to the USDA, the AICR simply lays out the science. When it comes to the worst of the worst, the institute doesn’t pull any punches. Instead of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans’ advice to “Consume fewer … sodas,”10 the AICR cancer prevention guidelines advise: “Avoid sugary drinks.” Similarly, the AICR doesn’t just say to cut back on bacon, ham, hot dogs, sausage, and lunch meats. The cancer guidelines tell you to “avoid processed meat.” Period. Why? Because “data do not show any level of intake that can confidently be shown not to be associated with risk.”11 The healthiest diet is one that maximizes the intake of whole plant foods and minimizes the intake of animal-based foods and processed junk.