[et_pb_section fb_built=“1″ _builder_version=“3.27.3″ fb_built=“1″ _i=“0″ _address=“0″][et_pb_row _builder_version=“3.27.3″ _i=“0″ _address=“0.0″][et_pb_column type=“4_4″ _builder_version=“3.27.3″ _i=“0″ _address=“0.0.0″][et_pb_text _builder_version=“3.27.3″ hover_enabled=“0″ _i=“0″ _address=“0.0.0.0″]<\/p>\n
The Mediterranean diet is a way of eating rather than a formal diet plan. It features foods eaten in Greece, Spain, southern Italy and France, and other countries that border the Mediterranean Sea.<\/p>\n
The Mediterranean diet emphasizes eating foods like fish, fruits, vegetables, beans, high-fiber breads and whole grains, nuts, and olive oil. Meat, cheese, and sweets are very limited. The recommended foods are rich with monounsaturated fats, fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids.<\/p>\n
The Mediterranean diet is like other heart-healthy diets in that it recommends eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and high-fiber grains. But in the Mediterranean diet, an average of 35% to 40% of calories can come from fat. Most other heart-healthy guidelines recommend getting less than 35% of your calories from fat. The fats allowed in the Mediterranean diet are mainly from unsaturated oils such as fish oils, olive oil, and certain nut or seed oils (such as canola, soybean, or flaxseed oil) and from nuts (walnuts, hazelnuts, and almonds). These types of oils may have a protective effect on the heart.<\/p>\n
What are the benefits?<\/p>\n
A Mediterranean-style diet may help lower your risk for certain diseases, improve your mood, and boost your energy levels. It may also help keep your heart and brain healthy.<\/p>\n
The benefits of a Mediterranean-style diet reinforce the benefits of eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, fish, high-fiber breads, whole grains, and healthy fats.<\/p>\n
For your heart and body, a Mediterranean-style diet may:<\/span> For your brain, a Mediterranean-style diet might help prevent:<\/span> How can you make the Mediterranean diet part of your eating plan?<\/span><\/p>\n There are some simple things you can do to eat more of the healthy foods that make up the Mediterranean diet. First, check out what’s on the menu. Then see what Mediterranean-type foods you can add to your eating plan.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=“https:\/\/minerva-foods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/article_1.jpg“ align=“center“ _builder_version=“3.27.3″ _i=“1″ _address=“0.0.0.1″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=“3.27.3″ hover_enabled=“0″ _i=“2″ _address=“0.0.0.2″]<\/p>\n On the menu<\/p>\n The traditional Mediterranean diet calls for:<\/p>\n \u2022 Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables each day, such as grapes, blueberries, tomatoes, broccoli, peppers, figs, olives, spinach, eggplant, beans, lentils, and chickpeas. The Mediterranean diet may also include red wine with your meal\u20141 glass each day for women and up to 2 glasses a day for men.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=“3.27.3″ hover_enabled=“0″ _i=“3″ _address=“0.0.0.3″]<\/p>\n Staying active<\/p>\n The Mediterranean diet isn’t just about eating healthy foods. It’s also about being active. So try to get at least 2\u00bd hours of moderate aerobic activity a week. It’s fine to do blocks of 10 minutes or more throughout your day and week.<\/p>\n Choose exercises that make your heart beat faster and make you breathe harder. For example, go for a swim or a brisk walk or bike ride. You can also get some aerobic activity in your daily routine. Vacuuming, housework, gardening, and yard work can all be aerobic.<\/p>\n
\u2022Prevent heart disease.
\u2022Lower the risk of a heart attack.
\u2022Lower cholesterol.
\u2022Prevent type 2 diabetes.
\u2022Prevent metabolic syndrome.<\/p>\n
\u2022Stroke.
\u2022Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia.
\u2022Depression.
\u2022Parkinson’s disease.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Eating a variety of whole-grain foodseach day, such as oats, brown rice, and whole wheat bread, pasta, and couscous.
\u2022 Choosing healthy (unsaturated) fats, such as nuts, olive oil, and certain nut or seed oils like canola, soybean, and flaxseed. About 35% to 40% of daily calories can come from fat, mainly from unsaturated fats.
\u2022 Limiting unhealthy (saturated) fats, such as butter, palm oil, and coconut oil. And limit fats found in animal products, such as meat and dairy products made with whole milk.
\u2022 Eating mostly vegetarian meals that include whole grains, beans, lentils, and vegetables.
\u2022 Eating fish at least 2 times a week, such as tuna, salmon, mackerel, lake trout, herring, or sardines.
\u2022 Eating moderate amounts of low-fat dairy products, such as milk, cheese, or yogurt.
\u2022 Eating moderate amounts of poultry and eggs.
\u2022 Limiting red meat to only a few times a month in very small amounts. For example, a serving of meat is 3 ounces. This is about the size of a deck of cards.
\u2022 Limiting sweets and desserts to only a few times a week. This includes sugar-sweetened drinks like soda.<\/p>\n