Health inspiration from @BillClinton, the Role Model-in-Chief

Former President Bill Clinton shows off his healthy lunch for AARP The Magazine. Photo source: AARP's website. Credit: Ben Baker.

Bill Clinton has traded his Commander-in-Chief title for Role Model-in-Chief. 

At least when it comes to health and diet.

A piece in AARP The Magazine penned by journalist Joe Conason ("My lunch with Bill," August/September 2013) outlines Clinton's vegan diet, which was in part responsible for his 30-pound weight loss. 

Clinton made the diet switch quickly after a 2010 heart incident that resulted in a pair of stents (he previously had quadruple bypass surgery in 2004).

It's a testament to his discipline that he pulled off a 180-degree pivot overnight — motivated not only by his own urge to live but by the goals he has set for his foundation.

The Clinton Foundation is tackling obesity in both children and adults through its Clinton Health Matters Initiative, which promotes evidence-based systems and changes in environment toward the goal of reducing preventable diseases.

While not everyone will adopt the full Clinton diet, there are some great tips for making small (and tasty!) changes that can positively impact your health (my wife's latest crusade is to make me a quinoa convert!).

Source: AARP The Magazine