The health benefits of the Mediterranean Diet are real. Physicians and dietitians suggest it for many patients to improve their health and lower their risk of chronic health conditions.
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If you’ve considered making changes to your diet in order to live a healthier life, you’ve probably looked at many different options. It makes sense that fueling your body with healthful, natural foods will produce higher levels of energy and healthy results for your entire body. The Mediterranean style of eating can help you do just that.
What is the Mediterranean Diet
The “Mediterranean Diet” is a style of eating based on traditional foods found in the areas surrounding the Mediterranean Sea like Italy, France, Spain, and Greece. Research shows people who ate the types of foods found here were generally healthy and had a lowered risk of many chronic health conditions. The general guidelines include eating a variety of fruits and vegetables, lean protein, whole grains, nuts, legumes, seeds, and healthy fats. Refined grains, processed foods, and added sugars are generally restricted, however, you can still have well-chosen snacks and desserts!
The Health Benefits
What does this sort of eating style offer you? Reported benefits include promoting heart health, supporting healthy blood sugar levels, and protecting brain function. The foods commonly consumed as a part of the Mediterranean diet provide a variety of nutrients that are essential to good health. These include vitamins, minerals, water, fiber, and healthy fats. We suggest this diet to many patients to support good digestive and overall health.
7 Helpful Tips to Get Started
As with any diet, especially if you have digestive health issues, check with your doctor or dietitian before making big changes. Small changes are a good way to begin incorporating healthy choices into your diet over time.
- Meal plan! Search online for recipes and ingredient lists.
- Try including more produce in your diet.
- Choose fish, seafood, and poultry. Reduce amount of red and processed meats.
- Nuts, seeds and legumes make delicious, satisfying snacks.
- Experiment with herbs and spices in food and beverages.
- You can still have grains! Choose whole grains and fats over refined versions.
- Avoid drinking your calories. Make water your go-to beverage. You’ll be surprised how quickly this becomes a new preference for you!
When you eat Mediterranean-style, you quickly realize that you are not dieting at all. You are living your life fully by fueling your body with nutritious, delicious foods that bring you more energy and better health. Not a bad deal!
Talk to your doctor and discuss how to incorporate the Mediterranean diet into your health plan.
Do you have concerns about your gastroenterological health? Granite Peaks Gastroenterology can help! Click here to request your appointment with one of our gastroenterologists today!