Talking about longevity, the majority of experts usually bring up diet plans. Some promote greens packed with antioxidants, while others ditch gluten and all those processed snacks. However, Dr. Simon Feldhaus, a Swiss doctor with three decades of medical experience and extensive research into longevity, suggests that the healthiest eating isn’t about forbidding food—it’s all about embracing simplicity and focusing on quality.
Why Dr. Feldhaus Believes There’s No Perfect Diet
The main thing to remember is: I do not like diets—there’s way too much chat about them,” Dr. Feldhaus shared with CNBC Make It. Being at the helm of the Swiss Society for Anti-Aging Medicine and heading up The Balance Rehab Clinic’s operations in Switzerland, he holds some refreshing views on maintaining health over the long haul. “Honestly, I don’t believe in any ‘perfect’ diet,” he adds.
Rather than sticking to stringent eating guidelines, Dr. Feldhaus concentrates on where the ingredients come from and how fresh they are. He stays away from crops that are out of season and carefully chooses his food sources. “I only eat vegetables that are grown during the current season,” he emphasizes. “For example, right now we’re heading into winter, and strawberries aren’t in season, so why would I want to eat them?”
This philosophy goes beyond just personal beliefs, as there’s some compelling science backing it up. Fresh, in-season ingredients maintain more nutrients than those that have been stored or transported long distances. “Vitamins, especially vitamin C, can decline during storage,” points out Wendy Lopez, RDN, in a 2024 report from the American Heart Association. “For instance, apples that have been stored for months may lose some of their nutritional content compared to those picked fresh.”
This simply means that food enjoyed closer to its harvest date is generally better for you. Dr. Feldhaus’s advice rings true with insights many nutrition scientists have shared: freshness and quality may have more weight than trying to achieve dietary perfection. Picking seasonal produce means you consume food at its nutritional best—packed with vital vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are essential for cellular health and overall well-being.
If you’re considering taking Dr. Feldhaus’s advice this fall and winter, opt for produce that’s in season, which varies based on where you live. As per the USDA’s SNAP-Ed Seasonal Produce Guide, check out what’s in abundance now:
This fall, go for apples, cranberries, pears, grapes, and pomegranates. When it comes to vegetables, choose bell peppers, brussels sprouts, leafy greens, mushrooms, root veggies, pumpkins, and sweet potatoes.
As winter rolls in, keep up with seasonal eats featuring citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit, alongside avocados, kiwis, and pomegranates. Cold-hardy vegetables like kale, Swiss chard, leeks, cabbage, and winter squash are also excellent, nutrient-packed options.
The bottom line? Instead of stressing over the latest dietary fads or obsessively counting macros, focus on enjoying wholesome, fresh, seasonal foods. This method not only encourages a well-rounded diet filled with various nutrients but also helps foster a deeper connection with nature’s cycles—all without the need for calorie counting.
As Dr. Feldhaus beautifully puts it: “This isn’t just about dieting—it’s about honoring what the earth gives us at the right time.” And making this simple, mindful shift could be one of the most sustainable habits for longevity you can adopt.
