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Going to Extremes
The Dangers of Diets and the Real Key to Long-Term Weight Loss
By Jill Weisenberger, M.S., R.D., C.D.E.
Ritva Butrum, vice president for research at AICR, points to documents citing thousands of studies showing a correlation between fruit and vegetable intake and a reduced cancer risk. Specifically, a 1997 AICR report estimated that 30 to 40 percent of all cancers could be prevented by changing Americans' diet and exercise habits. Furthermore, by simply eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily, we could prevent at least 20 percent of all cancers, including cancers of the breast, colon, stomach, lung and esophagus.
"Today's best available science tells us what your grandmother always knew: Eat a variety of vegetables and fruits, all year round," Butrum says.
But Americans are not following this advice. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tell us that only about a quarter of Americans consume the minimum recommended amount of fruits and vegetables.
Concerned that Americans are sacrificing long-term health for short-term weight loss, the AICR introduced "The New American Plate." This 36-page brochure tells Americans to focus on both proportion and portion to 
control their weight and to lower their risk of cancer.