David Jenkins

David Jenkins is a British-born Canadian physician and nutrition scientist at the University of Toronto and St. Michael's Hospital, where he held a Canada Research Chair in nutrition and metabolism. He is an Officer of the Order of Canada and follows a vegan diet himself.

Best known for

Creating the glycemic index in 1981, which ranks carbohydrate foods by how quickly they raise blood sugar, and the Portfolio Diet, a set of plant foods chosen to lower cholesterol.

Approach

He adds specific plant foods in set amounts rather than banning foods. The Portfolio Diet combines nuts, soy protein, sticky fiber from oats, barley and beans, and plant sterols, on a plant based diet low in saturated fat. He is not against oil.

Main talking points

• Slowly digested, low glycemic index carbohydrates are kinder to blood sugar.
• In his trials a portfolio of plant foods cut LDL cholesterol nearly as much as an early statin did.
• Nuts, soy and beans are central foods, not extras.
• Pulses such as beans, peas and lentils help both blood sugar and cholesterol.