Mediterranean Diet: The Healthiest Diet?

Perhaps the world's healthiest diet, the Mediterranean diet is abundant in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and olive oil. It features fish and poultry-lean sources of protein-over red meat. Red wine is consumed regularly but in moderate amounts. It is often promoted to decrease the risk of heart disease, depression, and dementia.

Here are some easy ways to get more Mediterranean diet foods into your life!

1. Use olive oil when cooking

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If you have been cooking with coconut or vegetable oil, it is time to make a switch. Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, which may improve HDL cholesterol, the "good" type of cholesterol. Top your fish or chicken with a drizzle of olive oil to boost flavour!

2. Include whole grains in your meals

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Whole grains are packed with nutrients including protein, fiber, B vitamins, antioxidants, and trace minerals. Including whole grains in your breakfast to kick start your day can keep you pleasantly full for hours! To all my fellow lazy cooks, a simple whole grain meal to prepare would be quinoa. It cooks up in just 20minutes!

3. Fruit for dessert

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Fresh fruit is a good way to satisfy your sweet cravings! It is a good source of fiber, vitamin C and antioxidants. I like to drizzle honey on my pear slices and sprinkle a little brown sugar on my grapefruit! Bring along a piece or two of fruit to work so you have a healthy snack when your stomach starts growling.

4. Consume nuts for snack

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Stop indulging in potato chips and choose nuts instead! Nuts are another Mediterranean diet staple. Nuts contain more fiber and minerals, such as potassium, than processed snack foods. Almonds, cashews, or pistachios can make a satisfying, on-the-go snack.

5. Eat lots of vegetables

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Aim for at least two servings per day! If your current diet barely has any greens in it, this is the perfect opportunity to fit in more veggies. To start off, you can include a handful of spinach into your smoothie or snacking on sliced tomatoes drizzled with olive oil.

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