Have you ever dreamed of a world where your favourite foods would also become the ones that could contribute to weight loss, heart health, and overall longevity? Well, your dreams may have come true with The Bonus Years Diet. In his book, The Bonus Years Diet: 7 Miracle Foods That Can Add Years to Your Life, Dr. Ralph Felder, a physician and chef, concludes that there are seven main foods to eat in a regimented manner in order to expand your lifetime and maintain overall health.

What Is It?

Felder outlines that there are seven miraculous foods that we must have in our daily intake. These foods are nutritional boosters and have been specifically chosen for a reason, whether it is to lower blood pressure, prevent heart disease, improve insulin stability or contain a high level of antioxidants. All of these foods have been ultimately proven to add years to your life by keeping our cardiovascular system strong.
The best part about this diet is the seven miracle foods themselves, as some are foods most wouldn’t normally associate with weight loss and dieting.

The seven foods include:
1. Red wine – According to the American Heart Association, there is a “32 per cent risk reduction of atherosclerotic disease with red wine intake.”
2. Dark Chocolate – High levels of flavanoids found in dark chocolate show to lower blood pressure.
3. Fruits and vegetables – Fruits and vegetables are high in fiber, keeping you full for longer and detoxifies your digestive system.
4. Fish – Fish is also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which benefit Omega-3 fatty acids, which lower the risk of cardiovascular disease.
5. Nuts – Nuts contain “good” or unsaturated fats, which can lower bad cholesterol levels.
6. Garlic – Along with lowering the risk of cardiovascular diseases, garlic is highly nutritious but low in calories.

Menu Ideas

If you’re following the Bonus Years Diet, start your morning with oatmeal with silvered almonds and dark chocolate shavings, making an antioxidant-rich and heart healthy start to your day. For lunch, you can tuck into a garlicky chickpea salad with trout on top. Meanwhile, steamed vegetables, roasted salmon with chili garlic sauce with a glass of red wine offers both fiber and Omega-3 fatty acids.

Should You Try It?

The bonus year diet plan claims to be one of the most logical and practical diet programs in today’s spotlight, as the program is entirely based on scientific facts and principles. The diet claims to give no exaggeration or false claims, it simply tackles issues such as various cardiac problems, inflammatory reactions, poor metabolism and immune systems and high caloric intake. However, if you’re considering following this diet, it’s always a safe nutritional move to consult with your family doctor or a dietician first.

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