Leena Watts
The Swank diet is a low-fat diet based on a study into the prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) in different regions, starting from the 1940s. The diet was proposed by Roy Laver Swank, MD, PhD, an academic neurologist at the University of Oregon, for the treatment of MS. It recommends the consumption of fruits, vegetables, fish, and supplements in some cases. The diet encourages the consumption of at least two servings each of fruits and vegetables per day. It also recommends limiting red meat to 3 ounces per week after the first year of following the diet.
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What You'll Learn
- The Swank diet is a low-fat diet for people with multiple sclerosis (MS)
- It recommends fruit, vegetables, fish, and supplements in some cases
- No red meat for the first year, including pork
- Consume at least two servings each of fruits and vegetables per day
- The diet is based on a lifetime of research by Dr Roy L Swank, MD, PhD
The Swank diet is a low-fat diet for people with multiple sclerosis (MS)
The Swank diet recommends limiting saturated fat to 15 grams per day and unsaturated fat (oils) to 20-50 grams per day. It encourages the consumption of fruits and vegetables, with at least two servings of each per day. White-meat poultry, white fish, and shellfish are permissible, while red meat and pork should be excluded from the diet for the first year. After the first year, 3 ounces of red meat is allowed once per week.
Dairy products on the Swank diet should contain 1% or less butterfat, and non-fat or low-fat options are recommended. Egg whites are preferred over whole eggs, as egg yolks contain saturated fat. Whole-grain breads, rice, and pastas are encouraged, while refined grains are also permissible. Snacks such as nuts, seeds, and certain crackers are allowed, as they are good sources of natural oil and help maintain energy levels.
The Swank diet also recommends daily supplements, such as cod liver oil, multivitamins, and minerals. It is important to note that the Swank diet is not a restriction on food intake but a lifestyle change. Dr. Swank's research showed that the diet may slow the progression of MS and benefit overall health. However, there is limited scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of the Swank diet in treating MS, and it is regarded as a form of complementary and alternative medicine.
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It recommends fruit, vegetables, fish, and supplements in some cases
The Swank diet recommends fruit, vegetables, fish, and supplements in some cases. It is a low-fat diet that encourages the consumption of at least two servings each of fruits and vegetables per day. While there is no restriction on the amount of fruit and vegetables consumed, fruits that naturally contain fat, such as avocados and olives, must be counted towards the daily fat total.
The diet recommends a good source of omega-3, which can be obtained from oily fish, flaxseed, cod liver oil, and cod liver oil tablets. A daily multivitamin and mineral supplement are also recommended. People on the Swank diet can consume plant oils, such as olive oil, canola oil, soybean oil, peanut oil, and flax oil, as they contain mostly unsaturated fat. Nuts, nut butter, and seeds are also allowed as snacks, but they must be counted in the daily fat total.
The Swank diet recommends consuming four servings of grain products a day. People can eat bread, low-fat cereals, rice, pasta, and certain crackers, preferably whole grain products. Refined pastas and rice are permissible in any amount, but whole grain pastas are preferred. Snack crackers that do not contain shortening, butter, margarine, or processed oils are also permissible.
The Swank diet also places restrictions on the consumption of meat and dairy. It recommends eating no red meat for the first year, including pork. After the first year, three ounces of red meat is allowed once per week. People can eat four ounces of skinless white chicken and turkey meat but should avoid dark poultry meat and processed poultry products. Whitefish and shellfish are suitable, and there is no limit to the portion size, but people with high cholesterol levels should limit their shellfish consumption. When eating fatty fish, such as salmon and tuna, people must include it in their daily fat total. The Swank diet recommends two servings a day of non-fat or low-fat dairy products. Dairy products must contain 1% or less butterfat unless otherwise noted.
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No red meat for the first year, including pork
The Swank diet is a low-fat diet designed to help manage multiple sclerosis (MS). It was proposed in 1949 by academic neurologist Dr. Roy Swank, who studied the prevalence of MS in different regions in the 1940s. The diet is based on Dr. Swank's observation that MS was less common in coastal fishing towns, where people ate more fish, than in areas where meat was the main dietary component.
One of the key components of the Swank diet is the exclusion of red meat, including pork, for the first year. This means that people following the Swank diet must completely avoid consuming any type of red meat, such as beef, lamb, and pork, during the initial 12 months of the diet. This restriction is in place because red meat is typically high in saturated fat, which is the main type of fat that the Swank diet aims to reduce.
After the first year, the diet allows for a limited amount of red meat. Specifically, individuals on the Swank diet can consume up to 3 ounces (oz) of red meat once per week. This small amount of red meat is permitted as long as it falls within the daily limit of 15 grams of saturated fat. However, it is important to note that even with this allowance, red meat should still be consumed in moderation and not be a regular part of the diet.
The exclusion of red meat during the first year of the Swank diet may seem challenging, but there are alternative sources of protein available. The diet recommends consuming white-meat poultry, such as skinless chicken and turkey, as well as white fish. These options provide lean protein while still adhering to the low-fat guidelines. It is important to note that dark-meat poultry and fatty fish should be avoided or limited due to their higher fat content.
Overall, the restriction of red meat in the Swank diet is a crucial aspect of reducing saturated fat intake and promoting a healthier lifestyle for individuals with MS. By following these guidelines, the diet aims to help manage the symptoms and progression of the disease, offering a complementary approach to traditional medical treatments.
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Consume at least two servings each of fruits and vegetables per day
The Swank diet is a low-fat diet based on research into the prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) in different regions. The diet recommends consuming at least two servings each of fruits and vegetables per day.
Fruits and vegetables are permissible in any amount on the Swank diet. However, if a fruit naturally contains fat, such as avocados and olives, it must be counted towards the daily fat total. Most fruits and vegetables can be eaten without restriction. Refined pastas and rice are also permissible in any amount, but whole grain pastas are preferred. Wholegrain breads are also a suitable choice, as are low-fat cereals, rice, pasta, and certain crackers.
The diet recommends consuming four servings of grain products a day. People should avoid cakes and other baked goods that contain fat sources such as butter or lard. Bread, crackers, and cereals that contain shortening, butter, margarine, or processed oils should also be avoided. Instead, opt for rye crackers, melba toast, matzo bread, non-fat saltines, fat-free graham crackers, and non-fat tortilla chips.
The Swank diet also recommends consuming a good source of omega-3, such as oily fish, flaxseed, or cod liver oil, along with a multivitamin and mineral supplement daily.
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The diet is based on a lifetime of research by Dr Roy L Swank, MD, PhD
The Swank diet is based on a lifetime of research by Dr Roy L Swank, MD, PhD, who began studying multiple sclerosis (MS) in the 1940s. The diet is specifically designed to help manage MS and was developed over 50 years, with Dr Swank working with approximately 5,000 people with MS.
Dr Swank's research in Canada and Norway led him to conclude that MS was less common in coastal fishing towns, where people ate more fish, than in the mountains, where meat consumption was higher. He also noticed that after eating a high-fat meal, blood cells tend to clump together, blocking circulation in capillaries. This led him to theorise that cutting out saturated fat and eating more fish could prevent problems with blood flow, which may play a role in the symptoms of MS.
The Swank diet is a low-fat diet that recommends fruit, vegetables, and fish. It also encourages the consumption of at least two servings each of fruits and vegetables per day. While there is no restriction on the amount of fruit and vegetables, certain fruits that naturally contain fat, such as avocados and olives, must be counted towards the daily fat total.
The diet recommends consuming four servings of grain products a day, including bread, low-fat cereals, rice, pasta, and certain crackers, preferably whole grain products. Refined pastas and rice are also permissible in any amount, but whole grain pastas are preferred. People following the Swank diet should also consume non-fat or low-fat dairy products, limiting those with any amount of saturated fat to two servings per day.
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Frequently asked questions
The Swank diet is a low-fat diet based on a study into the prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) in different regions, starting from the 1940s. The diet recommends fruit, vegetables, fish, and supplements in some cases.
You should avoid all commercially prepared chips, fancy crackers, and pastries. You should also avoid boxed or canned foods containing processed oil (hydrogenated), shortening, butter, and exceeding 1 gram of saturated fat per serving.
You can eat fruits and vegetables in any amount. You can also eat plant oils, such as olive oil, canola oil, soybean oil, peanut oil, and flax oil, as they contain mostly unsaturated fat. You can also eat nuts, nut butter, and seeds as snacks.
The Swank diet was created to help manage multiple sclerosis (MS). The diet is based on the idea that cutting out saturated fat and eating more fish can help prevent problems with blood flow, which may play a role in MS symptoms. The diet has also been associated with longevity.
