i everyone! My name is Young and I am officially done with my food service management rotation at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital.
I decided to focus on the Mediterranean diet for my retail and wellness project to promote heart health. I was ready to showcase lots of menu items with pita, feta cheese, olive oil, and hummus, but delving into the research behind the Mediterranean diet, I learned so much about the history and the vast range of health benefits that this diet provides. Here are the top five things that I was surprised to learn about.
With all of these characteristics in mind, it is clear why this diet is regarded as a model for a healthful diet. One of my favorite parts of this diet is that it is not restrictive (it even includes wine!), which coincides with my personal mantra that all foods fit. This diet serves to show that eating a healthful diet can be achieved and does not have to be restrictive.
I decided to focus on the Mediterranean diet for my retail and wellness project to promote heart health. I was ready to showcase lots of menu items with pita, feta cheese, olive oil, and hummus, but delving into the research behind the Mediterranean diet, I learned so much about the history and the vast range of health benefits that this diet provides. Here are the top five things that I was surprised to learn about.
- The traditional Mediterranean diet is based off of the cuisines of the different countries that surround the Mediterranean Sea. These countries include: Spain, France, Italy, Morocco, Greece, Egypt, Tunisia, and more.
- The nutritional benefits of the Mediterranean diet was first discovered by American scientist, Ancel Keys. He was shocked to find that the poor population of southern Italy was healthier than the rich population in New York.
- The major focus of the diet is plant-based foods. There is a huge emphasis on eating whole grains, beans, nuts, legumes, fruits, and vegetables with small portions of lean chicken and meat.
- It’s more than a diet. The Mediterranean diet also stresses the important of an active lifestyle. Old Ways provides a good infographic that summarizes the diet in a pyramid.
- The Mediterranean diet is recognized by the United Nations’ Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization as an intangible cultural heritage. This means that this diet is reflective of the backgrounds and cultures of the various countries, while being a great contribution to the world. One of the key aspects is eating together during meals.
With all of these characteristics in mind, it is clear why this diet is regarded as a model for a healthful diet. One of my favorite parts of this diet is that it is not restrictive (it even includes wine!), which coincides with my personal mantra that all foods fit. This diet serves to show that eating a healthful diet can be achieved and does not have to be restrictive.
