MUST HAVE STAPLES | Weekly Grocery Haul + Meal Plan | WW Journey to Healthy

By Ashley Jean April 18, 2023 17 mins read 1629 Views

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MUST HAVE STAPLES | Weekly Grocery Haul + Meal Plan | WW Journey to Healthy

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Bananas allowed in the Mediterranean diet

Yes, bananas can be included in the Mediterranean diet. Bananas, a nutritious, low-calorie fruit, can provide beneficial dietary fibre, potassium, vitamin B6. Bananas can be added to salads, porridge, smoothies, and sweet potato dishes as a healthy side dish. To add protein, it can be served as a snack along with nut butters such as almond and peanut. To improve digestion and promote hunger when eating, you may want to pair bananas with nuts and seeds.

Is the Mediterranean diet primarily plant-based?

Yes, the Mediterranean Diet has a large portion of its diet being plant-based. This ancient diet is primarily based on plant-based foods, such as fruits and vegetables, legumes (nuts), and seeds. Due to their history around the Mediterranean Sea, however, some animal proteins like red meat, poultry, and fish are not as prevalent in this ancient diet. This protein source can be omitted by those who prefer a vegetarian, vegan, or alternative diet. Tofu and soy yogurt are excellent options for additional nutrition and protein.

Is oatmeal OK on a Mediterranean diet?

Yes, oatmeal can be included in the Mediterranean Diet. Oats, whole grains, can provide a good source dietary fiber as well as minerals like iron and magnesium. Oatmeal can be combined with blueberries, nuts and seeds or savory foods like eggs and cheese. Oatmeal also has many benefits and can make a nutritious breakfast. It could be added to smoothies, made into protein bars, or enjoyed in its basic form with almond milk and various toppings for extra nutrition such as goji berries, cinnamon, chia seeds, and peanut butter. Many countries in the Mediterranean region are fondly familiar with oatmeal, and many believe they can be used with this type of diet.

How do I start the Mediterranean diet

Get started on the Mediterranean diet by stocking up your kitchen with fresh fruits and veggies. This could involve preparing different vegetables or proteins every week that can then be used as a base for recipes in the coming days. Whole grains such as quinoa, millet, and oat-groats are great alternatives to refined grains. For added flavor and nutrition, healthy fats such as olive oil and sesame should be included in meal preparation. Seasonings like garlic, oregano (oregano), basil, and even turmeric can be great additions and help reduce salt and sugar.

Is the Mediterranean diet suitable to people with diabetes?

People with diabetes or other health issues will find the Mediterranean Diet helpful. This diet focuses on whole foods, reduces refined sugars, carbs, and emphasizes healthy fats rather than butter or lard. This helps lower the risk of developing it in people not yet diagnosed and regulates blood sugar levels for people with diabetes. Light exercise can also help to stabilize blood sugar levels. A balanced diet that includes healthy food substitutions, such as whole-grain bread being replaced with whole-grain bread and nuts being added to salads rather than crackers, can help manage symptoms of many different conditions.

Can the Mediterranean Diet also be vegetarian?

Yes, you can adapt the Mediterranean Diet to be vegetarian. This eating style can be followed by vegetarians who omit meats such as red meat, poultry, fish, and other animal proteins. The Mediterranean Diet offers many plant-based protein options, including legumes as well as nuts and seeds. Healthy fats such as olive oils, olives, or avocados can help to replace the protein source. In order to obtain vitamins and minerals while living a vegetarian lifestyle, you can add tofu or soy milk to your diet. Some other ideas may include mashing beans over toast, adding nuts and seeds over salads or bowls, having hummus with vegetables for snacks throughout the day, or replacing ice cream with frozen banana slices for dessert options!

Can the Mediterranean Diet be made gluten-free?

Yes, the Mediterranean diet can be modified to be gluten-free. Instead of using whole-grain carbohydrate sources like wheat and barley, you can incorporate gluten-free grains, such as millet (or quinoa), into your meals. This diet should include a lot of fruits such as melon, pears, fresh veggies, legumes and nuts. People who are gluten-intolerant or have difficulty digesting dairy products may be able to benefit from lactose free options. Another option is to have porridge instead.

Statistics

One small study suggested that swapping one-half of your serving of a high-glycemic starch (like rice) with lentils helps lower the glycemic response by 20 percent. (everydayhealth.com)
Aim to get 20 to 35 percent of your total daily caloric intake from fat, and for saturated fats to represent less than 10 percent of your total caloric intake, advises the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (everydayhealth.com)
The Mediterranean Diet group had a 30% lower relative risk of cardiovascular events compared to the low-fat diet group. (my.clevelandclinic.org)
Benefits of Replacing foods high in saturated fats (like butter) with plant sources high in monounsaturated fatty acids, like olive oil, may help lower the risk of heart disease by 19 percent, according to research. (everydayhealth.com)

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How To

How do you plan a week of delicious and nutritious Mediterranean meals?

It is possible to improve your quality of life and overall health by adopting the Mediterranean diet. This nutrient-dense eating plan emphasizes healthy fats, whole grains, legumes, fresh fruits, and vegetables. Eating this way can have many potential benefits, such as helping maintain better blood lipids, improved glucose control, reduced risk for depression and certain types of cancer, better cardiac health, increased cognitive function, and improved weight management.

Following these tips can make it easy to incorporate Mediterranean-inspired foods into your diet: swapping out high-calorie snacks like chips with nutrient-dense vegetable appetizers or other traditional greens or beans dishes; learning how to increase variety with spices or different sources derived from nuts, fruits, and vegetables; integrating more whole grains, legumes, and high fiber items that can enhance satiety after meals; adding moderate amounts of dairy products like yogurt cheese and milk throughout the day for added nutrition; using olive oil as the primary cooking fat instead of traditional oils; occasionally enjoying a glass of red wine to complete the Mediterranean experience.

Plan a week of nutritious and delicious meals that are within the Mediterranean diet guidelines. Begin by focusing your attention on specific components. ; fruits for desserts snacks smoothies, etc. Seasonings, herbs, tasty sauces, plus optional dairy yogurt cheese and kefir. Mixing different combinations throughout the week can help you maintain a healthy Mediterranean lifestyle. You will see even greater improvements in your body composition and health if you combine the meal with regular exercise.