Costco Healthy Shopping Haul | October 2023

Whether it’s a story about your experiences managing weight loss on paleo or keto diets, intermittent fasting, or just tips on eating healthier in general - we want to hear it.

We strongly believe knowledge should be shared; not hoarded for personal gain. So please email us your stories and recipes at [email protected] and help us spread the word about how anyone can achieve optimal health and wellness through proper nutrition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Bananas allowed in the Mediterranean diet

Yes, banana is allowed on the Mediterranean diet. Bananas can be a healthy, low-calorie, nutritious fruit that provides vitamin B6 and potassium. As a healthy side dish, it can be incorporated into meals by adding sliced or mashed bananas to porridge, smoothies, salads, or even sweet potatoes. This can be eaten as a snack or with nut butter, such as peanut or almond. If you are following the Mediterranean Diet, it might be beneficial to pair bananas and healthy fats like seeds and nuts to increase digestion and promote satisfaction when eating meals.

Is the Mediterranean diet expensive to follow?

The Mediterranean diet is affordable and easy to prepare. Many staple foods can easily be found at your local farmer's market or grocery store. Shopping for organic products, premium proteins or specialty items like extra virgin olive oil, can prove more costly. It is important to set aside a budget for your meals so that you can plan your meals accordingly. Also, you can save money by using leftovers from other meals and bulk-freezing foods like fish and grain.

Are certain conditions such as diabetes or heart disease compatible with the Mediterranean diet?

People with diabetes or other health issues will find the Mediterranean Diet helpful. This diet emphasizes whole foods and limits refined sugars and carbohydrates. It also focuses more on healthy fats than butter and lard. This helps reduce diabetes risk in people who don't already have it. It also controls blood sugar levels and insulin for those with diabetes. Light exercise can also help to stabilize blood sugar levels. You can make healthy food choices such as substituting white bread for whole-grain bread, or adding nuts to your salads in place of crackers. This will help you to manage many health conditions.

Is oatmeal OK on a Mediterranean diet?

Yes, oatmeal will be allowed in the Mediterranean Diet. Oats, whole grains, can provide a good source dietary fiber as well as minerals like iron and magnesium. They can be served with blueberries as well as nuts, seeds and savory dishes like eggs or cheese. Oatmeal has many uses and is a great choice for healthy breakfasts. It can be added into smoothies, made into protein bar, or eaten in its original form with almondmilk and other toppings for extra nutrition like gojiberries (cinnamon, chia and chia seeds), peanut butter, and cinnamon. Oats are widely popular in many countries part of the Mediterranean basin, so many consider them compatible with this type of diet.

What is a typical Mediterranean breakfast?

A Mediterranean breakfast may include a mixture of protein, healthy fats, as well as carbohydrates. The options include eggs in olive oil and roasted vegetables with a side salad, Greek yogurt with cheese, whole-grain Toast, or Quinoa porridge topped off with fresh fruits. Avocado toast is a wonderful option for breakfast. Your day can begin with Mediterranean flavors, such as wild-caught salmon, grass-fed meats and organic eggs. Use whole grains, such as quinoa and other whole grains, to reduce sugar. Choose fresh fruits for your breakfast, as well as extra virgin olive, coconut, and avocado oil.

What foods aren't allowed in a Mediterranean diet

The Mediterranean diet prohibits certain food groups including processed foods and added sugar. To maintain the health benefits of this diet, certain foods should not be consumed. While these foods may be acceptable as part of a healthy diet plan, it is not recommended that you consume them all the time.

Whole-grain bread and starches, such as white bread, sugary cereals, and other highly processed baked goods, are forbidden on a Mediterranean eating plan. These items are rapidly absorbed as sugars into your system and can cause weight increase over time. They also lack vitamins and minerals as compared to whole grains like quinoa and millet.

Other sugars also fall within this category. You should limit your intake of sweetened drinks, including soda, teas with added sugars, juices, and other sugary beverages. They won't support weight loss or healthy nutritional profiles.

In Mediterranean-style meals, it is important to exclude red meats from any meal plans. Red meats and processed foods are high in saturated fats, which raises cholesterol levels and increases the risk of developing heart disease. Because nitrates are associated with cell damage responses in the cells, processed lunchmeat products can increase cancer risk. Dairy products should not also be consumed frequently as some cheeses contain significant amounts of saturatedfats. However, feta and skimmed milk are better options than heavy cream and creme fraiche alternatives.

According to nutrition professionals, fish should not exceed three times per weekly.

Statistics

• Other components in tomatoes may help reduce the risk of blood clots, thereby protecting against cardiovascular disease, according to a March 2019 review in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. (everydayhealth.com)
• 1g sugar Benefits Rich in heart-healthy polyunsaturated fats, these nuts may also favourably impact your gut microbiome (and thus improve digestive health) and lower LDL cholesterol, according to a small study that included 18 healthy adults. (everydayhealth.com)
• 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)
• Choose fat-free or 1% milk, yogurt, and cottage cheese. (my.clevelandclinic.org)

External Links

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• Mediterranean Diet Beginner's Guide: Ranked #1 Best Diet in 2023 | U.S. News


• The Best Diets in 2023 – Expertly Reviewed by US News Health

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• American Heart Association


• What is the Mediterranean Diet? American Heart Association

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• The Mediterranean Diet, From an Environment-Driven Eating Culture to an Emerging Med Prescription - PMC


• Definition of the Mediterranean Diet: A Literature Review - PMC

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• Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease Using a Mediterranean Diet - NEJM

How To

What is the Mediterranean Diet and How can it Reduce your Risk of Heart Disease or Stroke?

The Mediterranean diet is a healthy eating plan that includes whole grains, legumes and fruits as well as healthy fats. The Mediterranean diet has many health benefits. It is associated with improved blood lipids and glucose control, lower risk of certain types and cancers, better heart health, improved cognitive function, weight management, and better overall health. Research has shown that this diet could help reduce your risk of stroke and heart disease.

It is possible to incorporate Mediterranean-inspired foods into your daily diet by swapping high-calorie snacks like chips for nutrient-dense vegetable appetizers or other traditional greens or beans dishes. Also, spice and other foods derived from nuts, fruits and vegetables can improve the satisfaction of meals. Furthermore, moderate amounts of dairy products like yogurt, cheese, and milk should be included throughout the day for added nutrition. Olive oil should be the main cooking fat, not traditional oils. A glass of red wine is a good option to round out the Mediterranean experience.

Combined with regular physical activity on an average vigorous level, one could see even more significant increases in short-term results and long-term positive impacts on body composition and overall health benefits, including chronic disease prevention. The Mediterranean diet promotes enjoying food while maintaining a nutritional balance that can offer substantial benefits toward reducing one's risk of developing heart disease and stroke over time.

Resources:

[TAG70] If You Are Looking For Quick & Easy Breakfast Ideas for The Mediterranean Diet, Then Look No Further. These 6 Breakfast Ideas Are Delicious & Nutritious!

[TAG71] Many people in the Mediterranean have another name for extra virgin olive oil…Liquid Gold. As a foundational element of the authentic Mediterranean Diet, extra

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[TAG73] Top 10 Anti-Inflammatory Foods | Anti-Inflammatory diet | Foodetox Updates Inflammation, in a healthy body, is the normal and effective response that

[TAG74] #healthtips #health #healthylifestyle #mayemusk #longevity #beauty Maye Musk (75 years old) takes you on her journey of health and wealth in this video.

[TAG75] The Mediterranean diet originates in the food cultures of ancient civilizations which developed around the Mediterranean Basin and is based on the regular

[TAG76] Here is a delicious and nutritionally-balanced Mediterranean Diet meal plan for an entire week. If you are new to the diet, we think this meal plan will be a

[TAG77] Try these super delicious no sugar added Mediterranean desserts ! These are so beyond delicious ! They are the perfect healthy dessert to avoid sugar but yet

[TAG78] Mageirio, after the verb, to cook, “mageirevo,” is essentially an all-purpose summer stew, a kind of “throw-everything-in-one-pot,” dish that almost every home

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[TAG80] TAHINI NUTRITION Tahini is a delighful way to add powerful antioxidants and healthy fats to your diet, as well as a number of vitamins and minerals. It has

[TAG81] This review of five human studies on the Mediterranean diet examines its effects on weight loss, various diseases, and the risk of death.

[TAG82] BROCCOLI NUTRITION: Broccoli is rich in many nutrients, including fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, iron, and potassium. It also has more protein than many other

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[TAG84] Sharing some Mediterranean diet recipes we've been loving lately from around the web and social media. All tried and enjoyed.The post Mediterranean Diet

[TAG85] The bestest pesto recipe ever - Genovese Pesto! This recipe comes from our friend Giorgia in Italy who has been creating authentic Mediterranean Diet recipes

[TAG86] Research is exploding on lymphatic & fat disorders. Leslyn Keith, OTD, CLT-LANA keeps up-to-date with what's being published and then shares it with all of us.

[TAG87] The Mediterranean diet has been linked to a number of health benefits, including reduced mortality risk and lower incidence of cardiovascular disease.

[TAG88] Welcome to "The Ultimate Guide to the Ketogenic Diet," your comprehensive roadmap to achieving success with the keto lifestyle! Whether you're new to keto or

[TAG89] Surely you have been told that fruits have a lot of sugar, you should not eat them, intermittent fasting is good for you, carbs are bad for you and so much

[TAG90] New research shows that following a Mediterranean may protect from cancer but also protect cancer survivors. Science is continuously…The post Mediterranean

[TAG91] The Mediterranean diet focuses on using the freshest ingredients when possible, so we are sharing a list of September Seasonal Produce. The post September

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[TAG95] Pollo al ajillo (which literally translates to garlic chicken) is one of the most traditional recipes in Spanish gastronomy. It’s also an integral part of

[TAG96] This delicious Mediterranean snack made with perfectly toasted crusty bread, topped with ripe summer tomato, drizzled with olive oil…The post Traditional Greek

[TAG97] A weekly series where we share our family’s actual Mediterranean diet meal plan. The goal is to simply share meal and recipe ideas.The post Mediterranean Diet

[TAG98] Don't let those garden fresh tomatoes go to waste, sharing 14 different Mediterranean diet inspired Tomato Recipes. The post 14 Mediterranean Diet Tomato

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[TAG100] Sharing our August Seasonal Produce Guide to let you know what's in season this month and recipes that feature all those delicious picks. The post August

[TAG101] Kadurei Shokolad, or chocolate balls/chocolate truffles in English, are easily one of the most popular sweet treats in Israel. Everyone loves them, from little

[TAG102] Light Summer Recipes That Will Help You Lose Weight Are you looking for a delicious and healthy way to shed those extra pounds? Look no further than the

[TAG103] There are plenty of recipes on the world wide web for Italian stuffed peppers, artichokes, and mushrooms. But today we’re focusing on stuffed eggplant. This

[TAG104] Shish tawook is a popular dish in Arab countries. Restaurant menus typically include the Middle Eastern chicken dish as one of the main dishes, along with

[TAG105] Abstract. Consuming a Mediterranean diet rich in minimally processed plant foods has been associated with a reduced risk of developing multiple chronic diseases

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[TAG108] Greek Chicken Gyro, a healthy alternative to the classic Greek gyro you’d find at Greek festivals around the world. Yes, it’s true. We love a delicious gyro

[TAG109] Mediterranean shrimp stir fry – a simple, delicious and healthy way to serve up a Greek inspired dinner. One of our favorite things to do while we’re in the

[TAG110] Homemade Pita chips are a healthy and delicious snack. See our pita chip recipe below. If you’re looking to make pita from scratch as well, we’ve got you

[TAG111] It’s an easy (and delicious!) change that can turn your diet into a disease-fighting tool.

[TAG112] Healthline ranked the Mediterranean Diet number 1 for the following reasons: Numerous studies associate the Mediterranean diet with a reduced risk of heart

[TAG113] Psychology Today reports: Eating more green, leafy vegetables and less red meat were associated with improved cognitive functioning in a recent study of older

[TAG114] CNBC reports that Joan Salge Blake, Boston University’s clinical professor of nutrition says: “‘Poor protein [intake] can contribute to fatigue, and that’s the

[TAG115] According to Olive Oil Times: The authors of the meta-study, published in Current Obesity Reports, noted that hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, several

[TAG116] The study described in The Epoch Times found: In the conclusions of this study, the authors prefer the Mediterranean diet over the Keto diet because the key to

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[TAG118] Once again, the Mediterranean Diet ranks #1 in Best Diets Overall. It is based on the traditional way of eating in the 21 countries that border the

[TAG119] This Easy Shawarma-Spiced Chicken is full of flavor and tantalizes your taste buds with the flavors of the Middle East. It is an easy stovetop version of the

[TAG120] Cold winter days call for a hearty, rich, comforting soup. This Simple Gluten-Free Minestrone Soup with Quinoa is a twist on the classic Italian dish. Adding

[TAG121] These easy baked falafel with lemon-tahini sauce are crispy from the outside, light tender, crumbly from the inside, and full of bright, Mediterranean flavors.

[TAG122] This Easy Baked Spinach and Feta Cheese Frittata is a breeze to make and comes together in less than 30 minutes! Ideal for a weekend brunch, a hearty and

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