What Keeps Drawing Experts to the Mediterranean Diet?

Elderly Care Manhattan Beach, CA: Mediterranean Diet

Once again, the Mediterranean Diet was named the Best Diet Overall. Each year, a panel of experts confer and choose the best diets. The results are released in U.S. News & World Report. For the third year running, the Mediterranean Diet landed first place. Why do the experts keep choosing this diet as the best? 

The Rules of the Mediterranean Diet 

The Mediterranean Diet started in the 1960s. There are four main components of this diet. It focuses on whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and nuts/seeds. Olive oil is fat you want to stick to. Your daily meals are a mix of vegetables, fruit, and grains. Each week, you’ll add one meal with seafood, eggs, and legumes. Dairy is allowed in moderation. Red meat is limited to rare occasions.  

There are two more rules to the Mediterranean Diet. First, you are welcome to have a glass of red wine each day. It’s encouraged. You also eat that meal with others. Dinners with family and friends are encouraged. An active, social lifestyle is a must. 

As many foods are allowed on this diet, it’s easy to create diverse menus filled with satisfying meals. While some diets heavily restrict portions, the Mediterranean Diet is more about eating vegetables, so portions are not always as strict. People feel they’re eating plenty on this diet. 

Check Out a Sample Daily Meal 

Start your morning with a platter of fresh fruit, whole-grain toast, and almond butter to spread on the fruit and toast pieces. Plain yogurt may also be included in moderation. 

For lunch, mix chopped tomatoes, minced garlic, chopped parsley, sliced black olives, and diced red onion. Toss that in lemon, tahini, and olive oil. Top with a small scoop of hummus and baked falafel. 

End the day with a warm salad made from farro, cucumbers, chickpeas, tomatoes, roasted asparagus, and chopped orange bell peppers. Toss that salad with a mix of warmed olive oil that has chopped garlic, freshly ground black pepper, and red chili flakes. Serve it with a skewer of grilled shrimp that’s been marinated in orange juice. 

Why Choose the Mediterranean Diet? 

Experts recommend the Mediterranean Diet as it’s one that’s healthy for weight loss. You’re focusing on the right nutrients, keeping fat intake low, and staying active. It is recommended for lowering blood pressure, avoiding heart disease, and helping avoid the formation of blood clots linked to stroke. 

Are your parents trying to improve their diet? The Mediterranean Diet is a good place to start. If they have a hard time finding the right ingredients or adjusting their cooking style, talk to an elderly care specialist. With elderly care, they have someone to help them form a shopping list, go grocery shopping, and prepare recommended meals. Call to get started. 

If you or an aging loved-one is considering Elderly Care in Manhattan Beach, CA please contact the caring staff at Around the Clock Home Services today at (310) 940-0191. 

Sources: 

https://www.usnews.com/info/blogs/press-room/articles/2020-01-02/us-news-reveals-best-diets-rankings-for-2020

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/mediterranean-diet/art-20047801

Eric Hottenroth