Eat for Optimal Health with a Mediterranean Diet

 In recent years, the Mediterranean diet has received attention as arguably the best diet for a long, healthy life. According to a report released by Harvard Health Letter, a Mediterranean diet is effective at warding off heart attack, stroke, and premature death.
“Women who followed a healthy diet during middle age were about 40 percent more likely to live past the age of 70 without chronic illness and without physical or mental problems than those with less-healthy diets,” reads the report, examined several dietary habits of more than 10,000 women ranging from ages 50-60 and monitored the same women for a time span of 15 years.
“The healthiest women were those who ate more plant foods, whole grains, and fish; ate less red and processed meats; and had limited alcohol intake. That’s typical of a Mediterranean-type diet, which is also rich in olive oil and nuts.”
The health benefits of a Mediterranean diet aren’t new. It’s simple: Good food is a powerful health booster. Whole grains, fruit, vegetables and legumes are all packed with fiber, which slows down digestion and helps control and reduce blood sugar. Monounsaturated fats in olive oil, nuts and fish can have anti-inflammatory effects, which help reduce heart disease and many other conditions, according to the report.
Some important elements of a Mediterranean diet include*:
• Base every meal on fruits, vegetables, whole grains (whole wheat bread, brown rice, quinoa and bulgur), olive oil, beans, nuts, legumes (lentils, dried peas and beans), seeds, herbs and spices.
• Eat fish at least twice a week.
• Eat moderate portions of cheese and yogurt daily to weekly.
• Eat moderate portions of poultry and eggs every two days or weekly.
Eat red meat sparingly or limit to three-ounce portions.
• Drink plenty of water each day.
When looking for a local option to increase your consumption of Mediterranean foods, Olive Terrace Bar & Grill is your Mediterranean destination. Friends, families and large groups can come to enjoy homemade pasta, seafood, prime steaks, and great kabobs! With dedication to serving up high-quality ingredients, they pride themselves on the freshness of their ingredients. Each dish is made to order, and all of their sauces are made from scratch.
From the Hummus Dip, Salmon Cakes and Bistro Caprese to the Al Fresco Combination Platter, you can always rely on Olive Terrace to give you nothing but the freshest and best Mediterranean cuisine!
For more information on Olive Terrace, please call 661-257-7860 or visit our website at www.oliveterracebarandgrill.com.
*Sourced from Harvard Health Publications