If you're looking for a way to improve your health without depriving yourself of your favorite foods, look no further than the Mediterranean diet. The Mediterranean diet is recommended by MayoClinic.com as a heart-healthy program that incorporates the flavors and foods of Mediterranean-style meals. The Mediterranean diet recommends eating meat and sweet foods sparingly, eating fish twice a week and eating fruits, vegetables and whole grains during every meal.
Lower Risk of Heart Disease
The Mediterranean diet may help lower your risk for heart disease if you follow it correctly, notes the Women's Heart Foundation official website in the article "The Mediterranean Diet: Can it Reduce Your Risk for Heart Disease?" Because the Mediterranean diet suggests eating red meat as little as possible, the diet is low in saturated fat. Additionally, the diet recommends cooking foods in olive oil and eating fish and nuts that contain omega-3 fatty acids, which may help reduce your risk of heart disease and promote a more heart-healthy lifestyle.
Lower Cholesterol
Although the Mediterranean diet doesn't limit your intake of fat, it does recommend eating less saturated fat and more monounsaturated fats, according to MayoClinic.com. Low-density lipoprotein, or bad cholesterol, can clog arteries and lead to heart disease. Monounsaturated fats that contain omega-3 fatty acids, like olive oil, may help reduce levels of both low-density lipoprotein and triglyceride levels, lowering total cholesterol levels.
Enjoy Your Meals
The Mediterranean diet promotes a healthy lifestyle and eating habits, but it does not take all of the enjoyment out of eating. While following the Mediterranean diet, females are encouraged to drink five ounces of wine per day and males are encouraged to drink 10 ounces of wine per day, if a doctor approves. If you do not wish to drink wine or your doctor does not approve, grape juice may be substituted. Additionally, the Mediterranean diet encourages relaxing while eating and enjoying your food at a slow pace with friends and family.
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