Houston – If fitness is on your mind for the new year or you’re just trying to cut back on unhealthy habits, the Mediterranean Diet might be for you.
For the seventh year in a row, U.S. News and World report has named it the best overall diet. It’s also known to cut your risk of heart disease by 30%
From sustainability to health benefits, this diet is known as a good way to ease into better eating. There’s no calorie counting, no restrictions and moderate wine drinking is still allowed.
Pam Fullenweider, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Culinary Nutritionist and founder of Fully Mediterranean has specialized in the Mediterranean Diet. She currently teaches the Living Fully Mediterranean Diet online course, cooking classes, and corporate webinars and maintains a private practice.
If you’re looking to get started, Pam says there’s three steps for success.
1. Check Your Plate- Your goal is to make half your plate vegetables. Keep it simple – add spinach, tomatoes to your eggs, roasted veggies to pasta, side salad, carrots with dip for snack.
2. Change the Way You Think about Meat- Choose smaller portions of lean meat and incorporate meatless meals into your diet and save red meat for special occasions
3. Choose Healthy Fats-Focus on the right type of fat in your diet. Olive oil is the primary source of fat used, rich in monounsaturated fats = reduced inflammation, lower bad cholesterol. Fat helps keep us full and satisfied and makes food taste great!
Fully Mediterranean offers free guides to help you out.