We often have our patients come in wanting to discuss ways to improve their health, look better, feel better and increase the quality and longevity of their life. Diet is a major part of that. What you put into your body directly impacts how you look, feel and function. So how do you know what fuel to use for your body?
For most people, a great place to start is by adopting the Mediterranean diet. This is a heart healthy diet that has been shown to reduce certain co-morbid conditions. In an article published in Annals of Internal Medicine in 2013, evidence was presented that confirmed that adopting this diet helps to prevent heart attacks, stroke and premature death. It is though that this diet will help to reduce long-term inflammatory reaction and oxidation in your body. These two pathways greatly contribute to many chronic illnesses.
What do you have to gain by losing weight and keeping your body healthy through this manageable diet? Past and current data shows improvement in weight loss, life longevity, lowering cholesterol, improving symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, and preventing Alzheimer’, Parkinson’s and diabetes.
What will you be eating? A lot! Each meal should be based around fruit, fresh vegetables, nuts and legumes and whole grains. You should be incorporating seafood into your diet several times a week. You should reduce red meat. And when you do eat it, eat just a bit and let it be a treat! Poultry and eggs can be included several times a week as long as they are prepared healthily. You will be trying to avoid refined sugar, simple carbohydrates, fats and butters, red meat and high-fat dairy. Always make the healthy choice! And as a bonus, you are allowed up to 5 ounces of wine a day if you are a woman and 10 ounces of wine a day if you are a man over 65.
When should you start this diet? Now! You get tremendous benefit by starting young, but those who followed this diet in middle age showed a 40% increase In likelihood to live to 70 without chronic illness.
Come in and talk to us about your diet! The Mediterranean diet is great for most people, but some people require careful consideration. This is not a fad diet. This is a lifestyle that incorporates fresh, delicious food and will help you keep enjoying life, feeling great and looking great for decades to come.