Ever since I read the Plant Paradox, by Dr. Steven Gundry, I’ve been hooked. I’ve listened to podcasts, read studies and medical research, and just really dived head first into optimizing my health. In the process, I’ve lost weight, cleared up my skin, increased my energy, decreased my bad moods, and have continued to feel better each day. Gone are the swollen, achy joints and itchy, dry skin.
Have I been perfect? No.
Did I still achieve far greater health than I could have imagined? Absolutely.
One of the things that I really admire about Dr. Gundry is his continued research. While some people may find it annoying when his advice or recommendations change, I honestly admire it.
I think it’s great that he is always learning and researching and trying to get better. And I was so excited when I learned that he had a NEW book coming out, The Longevity Paradox. As soon as I got my hands on it, I read it in two days. It was that good!
And I’ve been seeing alot of people asking questions about The Longevity Paradox vs The Plant Paradox, and specifically which food recommendations have changed. So I wanted to highlight some of the changes in the Yes/No list, but there is so much more to the book than just the food component and I really hope you’ll decide to pick up a copy to read for yourself.
The Longevity Paradox vs The Plant Paradox – What’s Changed?
To be honest, I didn’t really find that all that much has changed in terms of his recommendations. The core food component of the lifestyle remains, with a few additions and changes in recommended amounts of animal protein.
New to a lectin free diet? Here’s a list of recipes to get you started!
Additions to the YES list:
Pili nuts – Pili nuts are rich in magnesium and one of the most low carb nuts available.
Baruka nuts – Also referred to as “Baru” nuts, Baruka nuts come from Brazil and are high in protein and low in calories. Their taste has been described as a mix between a peanut and a cashew, which sounds super fun! I’m getting a bag to try. Yum.
Kelp noodles – I’m always looking for another noodle option to try, and I’ve heard that many people prefer these to the Miracle Noodles.
Palmini Hearts of Palm Linguine – These look so fun! I had not heard of these but can’t wait to try them, and the reviews look good.
Korean Sweet Potato noodles – Also referred to as “glass noodles,” these are really popular with many people following the Plant Paradox diet.
Something else I was very happy to see added to the Yes list was more fruit options (always in their season only).
In my part of the world, walking through our many farmer’s markets and sampling bites of fresh fruit in season is one of my weekend pleasures.
Here’s what fresh fruit (in season) Dr. Gundry added:
Cherries
Crispy pears
Pomegranates
Kiwi
Apples
Citrus fruits (avoid juice)
Nectarines
Peaches
Plums
Apricots
Figs
Dates
The biggest change I saw was the addition of more beans and legumes. Pressure cooked beans were always on the list for Vegetarian/Vegan followers of the Plant Paradox, but Dr. Gundry has extended that to include more of these in every one’s diet. Of all these legumes and beans, his favorite is lentils.
Beans and Legumes on the Longevity Paradox List:
Lentils (preferred)
Black soybeans
Chickpeas
Adzuki beans
Other beans
Peas
Animal protein recommendations:
Dr. Gundry recommends no more than 4oz of poultry, fish and seafood daily. For grass-fed beef, pastured pork and other red meats, he advises no more than 4oz per week.
Alcohol recommendations:
And the last change to the yes/no list that I saw referenced alcohol. Dr. Gundry recommends sticking to red wine, and dark spirits, like whiskey, bourbon, dark rum, etc. He no longer recommends champagne, and also asks us to stay away from vodka.
I hope this quick summary helps to share his new recommendations based on his updated research and show you what’s changed in the Longevity Paradox. There is so much more general lifestyle, fasting, and other information in this book that I am excited to put into practice.
Wishing you great health!
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Thank you for putting this list together! Can what phases these changes are in?
It’s his newest research, I think he means it to come after PP – so I guess Phase 3?
Longevity doesn’t have Phases. Instead, there are fasting periods and free days. These are free day foods.
Is there a new “Yes” and “No” list?
Not that I’ve found yet – but I plan on sharing it when I do.
Thank you for your summary. I’ve read the book (borrowed it from the library) but should have taken some notes. Appreciate this.
you are SO welcome!! Happy to have helped 🙂
Thank you for the info! I have the new book but have put off reading it. I thought it might confuse me since I’m just getting the hang of Plant Paradox. Do you know if it’s meant to replace PP? If it is, I’ll happily make the changes.
I think it’s meant to replace it. Dr. G is always doing research and updating the newest findings. That being said, he does say that if you are finding success with Plant Paradox, there’s no need to change your diet. There are just a few additions, not too much change.
This is a great, simple update to the lists! Thank you! Are there brand new just say “yes, please” and no, thank you” lists somewhere now that we can print or screenshot?
Great question – I don’t think they do yet. I will link to them as soon as they come out.
Thanks for sharing this! I have followed The Plant Paradox for a couple years and just read The Longevity Paradox. Like you, I have lost weight, felt better and am a real believer in Dr. Gundry! But, I am just curious if you have any idea why he now says to avoid vodka. I generally only drink a glass of red wine with dinner so it is not terribly hard for me to adhere to the new list but if I were to have anything else in the summer it would be an occasional gluten free vodka and soda with lemon. While Gundry usually explains the reason for the foods on the NO list , I completely missed it if he did so here. I have experienced such great improvement in my health that I am happy to follow him blindly at this point but my husband is a little more resistant to giving up his occasional vodka. Thanks!
Vodka is made from potatoes – on the NO list
Not all Vodkas are made from potatoes. some from corn and wheat. Grey Goose is made from soft winter wheat from France. Distilled to be gluten free.
I heard him say that the alcohols must not be clear in color; instead they must have a brown tint to them. He mentioned something about processing in wood “oak” barrels.
it’s simple- vodka is not a problem, it just lacks polyphenols. Gin is ok if it has juniper.
Thank you for giving this review and comparison. It help answer a lot of my questions concerning which to purchase and I’m going for The Longevity Paradox & a recipe book.
Be well
Glad I could help. Thank you for your feedback!
I ended up having to press down on them when they were supposed to be finished .. o. And I used swerve confectioner’s sugar. They look great, but they are still squishy. Just thought I would try to work with what I had …
I’ve read that some tequila is okay. Can anyone confirm that to be true?
Aged spirits are ok, so if you look for an “Anejo” or “aged” tequila, you should be ok.
Like!! Really appreciate you sharing this blog post.Really thank you! Keep writing.
Thanks for putting this together! Do you recommend reading the Longevity Paradox over the Plant Paradox at this point? I recently grabbed the Plant Paradox, but haven’t made it too far in the book, yet.
I would recommend reading both, honestly. I’d start with the Plant Paradox as it gives you so much good information. If you have any health issues, it’s recommended that you follow that protocol until you’ve healed and then switch over to the Longevity Paradox.
Just found you! New to the paradoxes and desperate for easy (lazy🤗) recipes-would especially like some smoothie recipes-only have green. Please keep up this so good, so helpful work!! Rosie
Thank you so so much! After miserable 2 yrs I just found out more and more foods I was getting sensitive to, actually fall under Lectin list. This has made more sense than anything so far.
I have read all the books, did the energy paradox come out after or before longevity? Any changes from that?