For years, the Mediterranean "diet" has been touted by many nutrition experts as a way to reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease, certain cancers and more, but the advice had been loosely based on the results of "observational studies." People living in countries that border the Mediterranean Sea, including Greece, Italy, Spain and Turkey, tend to have a lower risk of those diseases. These folks consume a bounty of fresh and wholesome fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, beans, olive oil, nuts and seeds. However, the evidence favoring a Mediterranean-style eating plan just got much stronger. A major clinical study published this week in The New England Journal of Medicine found that about 30% of heart attacks, strokes and deaths from heart disease can be prevented with a Mediterranean-style eating plan. Test subjects for this experimental study were selected if they had risk factors for cardiovascular disease such as type 2 diabetes, smoker, hypertension, elevated LDL cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol, overweight or obesity, or a family history of premature heart disease. The scientists randomly assigned the 7,447 male and female subjects (ages 55-80) into one of three groups:
The results of this study now position the Mediterranean diet as a powerful eating plan when it comes to the prevention of heart disease. If you want to compare your daily diet to the Mediterranean plan used in the study, here's the checklist:  Trans-Continental Cuisine You don't have to cook exclusively Mediterranean dishes at home to integrate this healthy eating plan into your life. You can easily incorporate these eating strategies into many of your favorite meal plans no matter where you live and which cuisines you prefer.
   Mediterranean Chicken with Orzo  Roasted Beets with Gorgonzola, Arugula, and Walnuts  Sautéed Mushrooms with Toasted Walnuts  Slow Cooker Northern Bean and Spinach Soup  Turkish Eggplant Stew  Vegetable Paella If you're dining out, follow these guides to choose healthier Mediterranean fare: Dining Out: Italian Cuisine Dining Out: Greek & Middle Eastern Cuisines What is your favorite Mediterranean dish? How do you incorporate this lifestyle into your own meals?  You will earn 5 SparkPoints
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Super cute illustration.https://thefitnessdiet
s.com/mediterranean-diet/ Report
Also, I just want to add, to disagree with the last poster, not all chicken are free range. That's really not true at all! Most chicken are raised in cages, and never see the light of day. But many are allowed to walk around inside a building, yet there is no light, and often when workers come in, they step on the poor chickens and injure them. Chickens aren't given the good care that you think they are. You need to buy organic, free range chicken, if that's a concern of yours. Report
ite meat,chicken,olive oil & nuts,but no low fat foods for me. Report
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It's time people haul their heads out of the sand. Just because an article does not work with your lifestyle, does not make it bad. If you were in Canada I wouldn't be able to help but call you a "Harperite".... Report
Only complaint about it is that just about every study has since disproven that saturated fats from animals are bad for you. Remember to eat your yolks, and beef in unashamed amounts for a healthy diet as well. Report
I agree with what you wrote. Thanks for sharing. It's nice to hear from someone across the water! Report