The Most Important Ingredient in a Longevity Diet

Dan Buettner, National Geographic Fellow and founder of Blue Zones went “Person to Person” with Norah O’Donnell on CBS Evening News to discuss the diets of the longest-lived people in the world, how The Blue Zones American Kitchen could help add ten years to your life, the most important ingredient in a longevity diet, and how the Blue Zones Project is “manufacturing” blue zones across the U.S. Watch the full segments below.

The main drivers of happiness are also the main drivers of health that will get you to age 100. —@thedanbuettner Click To Tweet

Person to Person: Norah O’Donnell interviews Dan Buettner

My pitch is simple: These are real human beings who've been around for hundreds or thousands of years and this is the way they eat. We know that they're making it to ages 90 and 100 without disease—why not follow them? —@thedanbuettner Click To Tweet

5 top tips for living longer, healthier

1. Eat a big (savory) breakfast.

Move away from the idea that pancakes, eggs, and bacon are the only breakfast foods. Miso soup, corn tortillas filled with black beans, or a veggie hash are great options.

2. Learn how to incorporate beans into the foods you like.

Beans are a great protein substitute for unhealthier options, they’re versatile, and they are inexpensive.

3. Snack on nuts.

Almonds in Ikaria and Sardinia, pistachios in Nicoya, and all nuts with the Adventists—all nuts are good. Nut-eaters on average outlive non-nut-eaters by two to three years, according to the Adventist Health Study 2.

4. Eat dinner early.

We say, “Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper.” Quit eating by 5 or 6 p.m. and you’ll do your body a favor.

5. Taste.

“The most important ingredient [in a longevity diet] is taste,” says Buettner. Learn how to make plant-based food taste good and you’ll set yourself up for success.