Eat Italian, Live Longer
Mediterranean is the way to diet. It is a known fact that the diet from Tuscany is known to prevent heart disease and is also healthy for weight maintenance. But I wonder, why it is observed that the Western as well urban Asian population is growing large by feasting on pastas and pizzas?
Something seems ‘out of sync’ here; are we being over-fed with a wrong notion or is it that we have twisted the concept to our comfort.
I did some research and discovered that Mediterranean Diet is healthy. We are just not doing it right.
Here are facts about Mediterranean diet; you need to know before you dig in to that large pasta bowl.
The Italians prefer to eat small frequent meals and enjoy their meals on dinner table. They relax and socialize while dining for hours, over lunch and/or dinner and coffee. Yet sitting at the table for long periods of time does not appear to lead to excessive eating or drinking. This is practicing what I call 'Mindful Eating'.
Breakfast is usually a cup of coffee with milk and cereal / small biscuit. Lunch is generally sandwich and salad or small portion of pasta and a small piece of fish or chicken. Italians eat very small portions of red meat. Dinner is the main meal of the day but is generally eaten early enough to allow digestion.
Supersizing and junk food is a no-no. Chips, cookies, cakes are avoided but fresh fruits and yogurt are the preferred snack. Dessert is usually a fruit, apricot, figs picked fresh from the garden. Gelato and lemon ice are the preferred desserts.
People think Italians eat a lot every day but they are wrong, because while they do eat a big family meal generally on Sunday but during the week they eat small portions of healthy foods, such as pasta, vegetables, lean meat, fish, and cheese.
Olive oil is the preferred oil and it is used extensively in cooking and on salads. Italian meal table will not have olive oil placed on table to dunk their breads in as we see in most Mediterranean food restaurants.
To sum up eat Mediterranean but eat it right. Avoid the fried stuff and creamy sauced pastas. Instead, go for a tomato salad, simple vegetable pasta sauce, and use olive oil sparingly.
Use herbs, lemon, vinegars, capers, and other intensely flavorful, low-calorie foods for seasoning. Indulge in wine, fine cheese, succulent sea food but portion control and mindful eating is the secret to eating Mediterranean.
You can consult our nutritionists to plan a suitable Mediterranean Diet Plan for you that is healthy and appropriate.
Tina Khanna
DesiDieter Expert
