By Cindy Crowninshield, RDN, LDN, HHC
Age well and enjoy doing it!
That’s South Shore Senior News’s mission for its readers, and it fits perfectly with the benefits of the Mediterranean Diet. This eating plan may not only add more years to your life; it’s delicious, too! With just a few simple dietary changes at home or at work, you may give yourself many more pleasurable moments. Ready to plan your next five vacations, or troop through museums with your grandchildren? Take time for a Mediterranean eating holiday first—right here on the South Shore!
What is the traditional Mediterranean Diet? It’s a natural, wholesome mix of foods like fresh vegetables, fruit, fresh fish, whole grains, legumes, and olive oil. Elegant in its simplicity, this flavorful “prescription for good health” has been linked to many powerful benefits. Research indicates that the Mediterranean Diet may help prevent heart disease, stave off cancer, and improve cognitive function.
Depending on your food choices, how you prepare them (e.g., steaming as opposed to frying), and portion sizes, meals based on the Mediterranean Diet will have fewer calories, less salt and added sugar, more fiber, and less saturated/trans fat than traditional meals while still tasting great. In short, whether you’re looking to take better care of yourself after a bypass or a diagnosis of high blood pressure, or you are seeking alternatives to comfort foods like ice cream, the Mediterranean Diet has something to offer you.
Following are some tips for incorporating this diet gradually:
The Mediterranean Diet is not only enjoyable; it can be a key part of your plan for a longer, healthier, and more fulfilling life. Explore and continue to savor!
About the Author
Cindy Crowninshield, RDN, LDN, HHC is a licensed registered dietitian and nutrition educator in private practice. Her office is located in Ashland, Massachusetts, and she sees patients throughout Greater Boston and the South Shore. Cindy teaches individuals about the nutrition connection to symptoms and health issues. She empowers patients of all ages to organize themselves in health and wellness through a whole foods approach and making healthy lifestyle changes—using highly individualized nutrition plans. Visit www.CindyCrowninshield.com for more information.
Reprinted from the April 2019 edition of the South Shore Senior News.