Are you looking for a diet that will improve your health and help you lose weight? Instead of falling for one of the myriad fad diets which promise drastic and immediate effects, you might want to consider the Mediterranean diet. It’s been extensively studied by nutritionists and specialists and shown to play a part in the prevention of heart disease and diabetes. And the evidence is in its survival as a tradition, practiced and preserved by generations of people from different countries.
Stock up on your olive oil in Utah, along with other key ingredients. Here are three key concepts to get you on track to good health.
Don’t worry about a list
Unlike many other diets, the Mediterranean diet doesn’t have a standard or comprehensive list which you need to follow. There’s a simple reason for that; after all – many diverse nations and cultures have arisen around Mediterranean history throughout history. These people have all enjoyed access to different ingredients, so nothing is set in stone.
What the various Mediterranean cultures have in common, though, is a healthy pattern of eating. In this respect, it can also be quite like some other diets which recommend a balance of nutritious and healthy foods. There is an emphasis on certain food groups, such as fruits and vegetables, and legumes, nuts, whole grains, and healthy oils. At the same time, you need to cut down on the consumption of salt, sugar, and processed foods.
This can take some time, but the diet allows for adjustment. Moderation is recognized as part of the diet, and you can still fit in small amounts of other foods as long as the proper focus on important food groups is maintained.
Cook at home
When you buy meals or snacks outside, it can be out of necessity. You’re on a short break at work, or on the commute home after a long day with nothing in the fridge. It just makes sense to grab what’s convenient, and often that food isn’t healthy – it lacks the right balance or packs unhealthy components along with healthy stuff. Even at restaurants, for example, you may have healthier options, but you don’t get to choose exactly what goes into the dish.
Home cooking is an essential step to take back control of your nutrition – and cut down costs as well using many of the locally grown Utah ingredients. If you have the resolve to stick to the Mediterranean diet and turn your health around, don’t let your efforts be countered or diluted by commercially prepared meals. Even simple things such as being the one to measure the amount of salt and sugar that goes into your food will make a huge difference.
Involve the family
Another obstacle, in turn, when it comes to cooking is the time and effort needed for planning and preparation. Family is important to Utahns, so you can turn this challenge into an opportunity for you to involve family, friends, and kids alike in reshaping your lifestyle.
Bring the kids into the kitchen and delegate tasks and give them experience working with food. If you live alone, try to coordinate your cooking with like-minded health enthusiasts who’re working to make a positive lifestyle change as well.
The Mediterranean diet is a change of habit, and that always takes time. But in the end, you’ll be saving your health and helping spread the benefits to your friends and family, which is well worth the effort.
