NATIONAL MEDITERRANEAN DIET MONTH IS COMING TO AN END
The last few weeks have been a blessing for the Mediterranean community with the world appreciating and honouring its dietary pattern and productive lifestyle. From poultry to red meat and fish to legumes, the plethora of nutritious options didn’t lead to guilt neither left us..hungry to death.
It’d be a mistake to ignore the educational resources and official scientific reports that articulate the health and mental benefits which can be achieved through selecting ingredients of this food pyramid.As Victoria Taylor has argued in relation to what is alternatively called as the “sunshine cuisine”, restricting the consumption of a single ingredient which supposedly has a negative impact to our overall fitness and well-being, e.g sugar, is fruitless in the long term. Instead, one should focus on the dynamics of combining products from multiple groups.
However, you’ll never really know until you try. After all, well begun is half done! In this article you can find our memo; the 3 essential lessons we learnt from choosing this type of dietary approach for a month.
Committing to a 30-day meal plan founded on unprocessed foods as well as investing time in researching unfamiliar and refreshed recipes, this food journey was more than simply rewarding. It had its ups and downs, moments of uncertainty and temptation to purchase this package of chips we saw at the supermarket or a bite from the all-chocolate donut our co-worker had the other day. Nevertheless, it was a signal that eating clean is our choice.
THE LESSONS WE LEARNED DURING THE NATIONAL MEDITERRANEAN DIET MONTH
No fat doesn’t translate into wise
Do you usually choose a non-fat yogurt over 2% fat? If you answered the first, then you should reconsider as nutritionists endorse fat in dairy products. The first reason is that usually fat-free dairy products have added sugar to replace the lost in taste and, although occasionally this wouldn’t hurt, you should be careful of hidden calories. The second reason is that 2% fat yogurts contain trans fats which are produced naturally and therefore are different than these found in processed snacks. These are called conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and have a positive impact.
Wine isn’t off the table
Could red wine be…a nutrient? Mediterraneans have a habit of sipping some wine during dinner and scientists have argued that the combination of drinking and eating regulates heart rate better than the same amount of wine on its own. Wine is rich in polyphenols after all which, decreasing the risk for blood clotting.
Food habits bond people
Picnic at the park, dinner at the balcony, take-away breakfast at a bench. Location doesn’t matter, the company does! We’re certain you had plenty during this national celebration, supporting each other and sharing the love for the unique Mediterranean tastes.
