Mediterranean diet, our legacy, our future | Elena Paravantes | TEDxHeraklion

By Kirsten Maxwell January 14, 2024 14 mins read 107894 Views

Living healthy is about much more than what you eat. It's about finding a balance between body, mind, and spirit.

At Paleovsketo, we believe this starts with being aware of all the ingredients and sources in what we consume daily.

By understanding how our diet works together with our lifestyle and habits, we can begin the journey to better health.

It's not just about eating the right food; it's also about developing positive behaviors for lasting changes.

The key is basically learning to trust yourself and your intuition when it comes to deciding what’s best for your body.

For example, instead of trying a certain trend because everyone else is doing it or looking at calorie counts on packaging labels while shopping, focus on maintaining an overall healthy mindset and getting into the habit of aiming for a wholesome diet made up of mostly whole foods.

This will bring clarity around choosing better options no matter where you are or what’s available.

Ultimately, only you know what fits within your life and dietary needs - so have faith in yourself!

Mediterranean diet, our legacy, our future | Elena Paravantes | TEDxHeraklion

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main principles of the Mediterranean diet, and how can they be applied to your daily life?

Mediterranean lifestyle is known for its emphasis on healthy and nutritious food choices, regular exercise, and regular socializing. This diet emphasizes fruits and vegetables, whole grains and legumes, as well as healthy fats like olive oil and nuts. There is also a moderate amount of dairy products, fish and meat. The Mediterranean diet encourages the consumption of red wine in moderation. The main principles of the Mediterranean diet include:

Consume primarily plant-based food, such as fruits and vegetables, whole-grain breads and cereals, beans (legumes), seeds, nuts and seeds, healthy fats from olive oils and olives, yogurt (preferably nonfat), fish (at minimum twice per week), and small amounts lean poultry and red meat approximately once per week. Avoid fried foods.
It is better to choose fresh ingredients than pre-packaged, processed foods whenever possible.
Add herbs rather than salt to flavor meals generously.
Incorporate physical activity into your daily routine, like taking a walk after dinner or participating in an exercise class.
Enjoy sharing meals and enjoying the company of friends and family.
Pay attention to the tastes, textures and smells of your food. This is mindfulness eating. This will enable you to recognize when you're full and satisfied.

Is the Mediterranean diet suitable for people with certain health conditions, such as diabetes?

People with diabetes and other medical conditions will benefit from the Mediterranean Diet. This diet focuses on whole foods, reduces refined sugars, carbs, and emphasizes healthy fats rather than butter or 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. Incorporating moderate exercise into this eating plan can help control and stabilize blood sugar levels. Healthy food swaps such as replacing white bread with whole-grain bread or adding nuts to salads instead of crackers can contribute to a balanced meal plan suitable for managing symptoms of many different health conditions.

What foods can you not eat on a Mediterranean diet

The Mediterranean diet prohibits certain food groups including processed foods and added sugar. Certain foods shouldn't be eaten to maintain the health benefits associated with this dietary pattern. Consuming these items occasionally can still be part of a healthy diet, but consistently eating them can counteract the potential health benefits of following a Mediterranean eating plan.

Whole-grain breads and starches (such as white bread, sugary breads, and other highly processed baked goods) are not allowed on a Mediterranean food plan. These items may be quickly absorbed by your body as sugars which can lead to weight gain. They also lack vitamins and minerals as compared to whole grains like quinoa and millet.

Other forms of sugar also fall into this category. As such, limit your intake soda, tea with additional sugars, and juices. These sweetened drinks won't support weight control or healthy nutrient profiles.

Red meats as well as processed meats should be avoided in Mediterranean-style meal plans. Red meats and processed meats possess high levels of saturated fat, which increases cholesterol levels, raising the risk for heart disease and other metabolic syndrome-related problems that could lead to more serious illnesses. Because nitrates are associated with cell damage responses in the cells, processed lunchmeat products can increase cancer risk. Dairy products should also not be consumed regularly as some cheese contains considerable amounts of saturated fats too - except for feta which is low in saturated fat content - otherwise, stick only to skimmed milk or yogurt products when considering dairy options because these will generally be lower in total fat intake than heavy cream or creme fraiche alternatives that contain higher doses of calories in their ingredients listing.

Finally, fish ought not to be consumed beyond three times per week according to reliable estimates by nutrition experts who advocate for adhering strictly to certain limits depending on the type of fish being served up during mealtime plans - choose wisely which types you consume as some may contain mercury issues which diminish its healthful value impacting its nutritional intake benefits overlooked in most cases otherwise stated upfront when researching general information on particular seafood varieties commonly found strewn across local deli displays seen regularly at markets worldwide today.

Can the Mediterranean Diet allow for vegetarians?

Yes, the Mediterranean Diet is adaptable to vegetarianism. For this diet, vegetarians can choose to eat a variety of plant-based proteins, such as fish and poultry. Vegetarians can opt for a variety plant-based protein source, including legumes, nuts, seeds and other staples of the Mediterranean Diet. Healthy fats like olive oil, avocados, and olives can be added to compensate for any sourced protein. You can also incorporate alternative dairy sources like tofu and soy yogurt to get vitamins and minerals, while still following a vegetarian diet. Another option is to make hummus from mashed beans, add nuts and seeds to bowls and salads, have hummus with vegetables as snacks, or replace ice cream with frozen bananas for dessert.

Is regular olive oil okay to be used in place of extra virgin?

You can choose regular olive oil over extra virgin olive if you follow the Mediterranean diet. Extra Virgin Olive Oil or EVOO is preferred because it has more nutritional benefits and a richer flavor. Regular olive oils, however, are still an option. They have a milder flavor profile. Regular olive oil works well for everyday meals, such as roasting vegetables to stir fry dishes. This oil is cheaper than EVOO. Some even believe it can be used for higher heat applications, such as deep frying. But, it doesn't have the same nutrients or positive compound as EVOO. You should make up these benefits by eating other foods whenever you can.

Is Rice on the Mediterranean diet?

Rice is both allowed and encouraged on the Mediterranean diet. This diet emphasizes fruits, vegetables whole grains, legumes healthy fats such olive oil, nuts, dairy products, fish, meat, poultry, and moderate amounts of dairy products. Whole-grain whole-grain rice provides excellent carbohydrate sources that provide energy for the body. It is also a great source of dietary fibre, which can improve digestion and provide vital nutrients such as iron and B vitamins. In order to incorporate rice into your meals, you can add cooked grains to soups, stews and salads. Limiting added fat could be beneficial where possible to stay within the guidelines of the Mediterranean diet when consuming rice-based dishes.

Statistics

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)
The Mediterranean Diet group had a 30% lower relative risk of cardiovascular events compared to the low-fat diet group. (my.clevelandclinic.org)
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)

External Links

How To

How Can the Mediterranean Diet Reduce Your Risk of Heart Disease and Stroke?

The Mediterranean diet is an eating pattern that encompasses healthy fats, whole grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables. This diet has been shown to have many health benefits including better blood lipids. Better glucose control. Reduced risk for certain types of cancer. Improved cardiac health. Improved cognitive function. 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. You should consume moderate amounts dairy products such yogurt, cheese, milk and milk throughout the day to get added nutrition. Olive oil should replace traditional oils as the primary cooking medium. Red wine may occasionally be enjoyed to complete the Mediterranean experience.

When combined with regular exercise at a vigorous pace, you could experience even more positive short-term outcomes and long-term effects on your body composition. The Mediterranean diet encourages the enjoyment of food while maintaining a healthy balance. This can lead to substantial improvements in one's ability to prevent strokes and heart disease.

Resources:

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