Sounds exotic, doesn’t it? Many believe that the Mediterranean diet is the most healthy diet of all. If you haven’t heard of it before, or heard of it but never bothered to pay heed to it like me, the Mediterranean diet is a diet inspired by eating habits of southern European countries- Greece, Southern Italy and Spain in 1950s.
The diet mainly consists of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes and olive oil. Mediterranean diet is full of flavours and colours. Don’t worry if you can’t fully adapt to it, take baby steps and start incorporating it slowly into your lifestyle. Here are some tips for going Mediterranean that you should know.
-Eat more fruits and vegetables. Fruits are a source of vitamin C and antioxidants. A walk in the park for vegetarians but I know, it’s difficult for the meat lovers. The fresh veggies are low on starch. Try to mix fruits and vegetables with your meals daily and then gradually increasing the amount. Just make sure there is some amount of green on your plates.
-Switch to extra-virgin olive oil. It helps in boosting the good cholesterol in the body. Add a little to salads dressings. Forget butter, use olive oil instead. It’s a key ingredient of the Mediterranean diet.
-Eat fish and eggs. Fishes like salmon and sardines are rich in proteins. They are good for the heart as well as the brain.
-Say no to refined grains and only eat real whole grains. Quinoa, Barley, oatmeals, corn can do wonder to your health. Take a quick glance at the ingredient list and buy food made of whole grains only.
-Go nuts! Almonds, pistachios, cashews are full of minerals and fibres. They are a little heavy on the wallet but a small amount of these on a daily basis is extremely healthy.
-The best part- have wine. Have wine with the meal. Try not to overdo it. 3 to 4 ounce serving per day is fine.
-Have dairy products. Milk, yogurt, curd, cheese can improve digestion.
Follow these tips and they will help you keep yourself in shape and give you a healthy and prolonged life. Mediterranean diet is known to alleviate the risk of heart diseases and diabetes. Moreover, it can also reduce the risk of cancer by 6% as well as lower the chances of catching the Alzheimer’s disease.
This diet is worth giving a shot. The lifestyle of millennials is mostly junk food and soft drinks. It’s time for a change in these habits. Health is what fuels a happy life.