GET INTO THE GREEK
Benefits of the Mediterranean Diet
By Celeste Turner
What if you could find a diet that lowers your cholesterol, blood pressure, and risk of heart disease, while at the same time helps you to lose weight? Why, it’s the Mediterranean diet, a plant-forward healthy eating pattern that is based on the traditional cuisines of Greece, Italy, and other countries which border the Mediterranean Sea.
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Although there is no structured diet plan, the Mediterranean style of eating puts plants in the center of the plate and limits the consumption of animal foods. “Any diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables may play a role in prevention and treatment of certain diseases,” said Amber Parkonin MS, RD LMNT, who is an award-winning nutritional educator, personal chef, and podcaster located in Lincoln, Nebraska. “The Mediterranean diet specifically encourages fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, seafood, and healthy fat sources. Many of these foods are high in antioxidants, fiber, and heart healthy fats, which can play a role in cancer prevention, digestive health, brain health, and heart health.” Interest in the Mediterranean diet began in the 1950s, when numerous studies confirmed that the percentage of heart disease was lower in the Mediterranean countries as compared in the U.S. Since then, more research has shown that
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