This bit of information is from US News and World Report. It’s a special issue called 50 Ways to Improve Your Life in 2011. The first improvement that they list is to try a new twist on the Atkins Diet. The reason I find this interesting is because it’s pretty close to the diet I was reading about in The 4 Hour Body (see yesterday’s post).

According to this article by Angela Haupt, former President Bill Clinton recently shed more than 20 pounds after adopting a plant-based diet emphasizing legumes, fruits, vegetables, and even almond milk. She goes on to say that a study published in September in the Annals of Internal Medicine suggests he has the right idea. The new research indicates a low-carb diet, heavy on proteins and fats from plants, may reduce the risk of death from all medical causes.

Here are the basic rules.

1. Get acquainted with beans. Beans are a fantastic way of getting protein into your diet. A quarter cup of beans of any kind has the same amount of protein as one ounce of meat. In the 4 Hour Body, Timothy Ferriss is also big on the beans, especially black beans.

2. Try other sources of plant based protein. Nuts, high-protein veggies like brussels sprouts, grains like couscous, and lentils are all good sources (Tim Ferriss is also big on the lentils.) One ounce of almonds provides 6 grams of protein-more than 10 percent of a 150-pound person’s daily protein needs.

3. Ditch Dairy drinks.  Try unsweetened almond milk. (If you’re not going to make your own, check labels. Many brands are loaded with sugar.)

4. Substitute healthy fats for unhealthy ones. Get rid of the butter, whole milk, fatty cuts of beef, etc. and try omega-3 fatty accids, nut butters, seeds, and avocados.

5. Choose Carbs Wisely. No white carbs (bread, rice, etc.). Go for fruits, vegetables, whoats. Best for carbs are veggies such as okra and eggplant which are low in starch.

6. Reinvent You Favorites. The example they give in to substitute black beans for beef (try it in a burrito).

Read the magazine for the full article but you get the gist.