Eat Like A Greek!

Adopt this style of Mediterranean eating to enjoy tasty food, promote longevity, and protect against many diseases.

- Melissa Diane Smith

Q: Do you think there is one cuisine or cooking style that is healthier than others?

—Tanya W., Madison, Wis.

a: Perhaps I’m half Greek!), but I think one of the healthiest and easiest ways to cook is Greek, especially low-carb Greek. That means skipping the pita and baklava, and preparing poultry, meats, fish, shellfish, and a wide variety of vegetables using the key ingredients of olive oil, lemon, garlic, and flavorful herbs. Eating Greek is not only satisfying and tasty, but it helps protect against degenerative disease and promotes longevity.

The Mediterranean diet is based on the traditional Greek diet and other similar food patterns of nearby countries. It centers around eating real food and emphasizes extra virgin olive oil and other healthy fats, seafood, and a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes. Refined grain products, refined vegetable oils, trans-fats, processed meats, and foods with added sugars are avoided or discouraged. It was ranked as the best diet of 2019 according to U.S. News & World Report.

Benefits of the Mediterranean Diet

Numerous scientific studies show that a Mediterranean-style eating plan can offer widespread health benefits, including increased life expectancy, reduced risk of major chronic disease, and improved quality of life. Some research highlights:

Heart Disease. The Mediterranean diet has been found to reduce the burden, or prevent the development, of cardiovascular disease (CVD), and to improve markers of CVD, such as waist-to-hip ratio, blood lipids, and markers of inflammation.

Cognitive Decline. The Mediterranean way of eating helps brain health too.