Is eating healthier part of your plan for the New Year? Why not consider following a Mediterranean diet? Combined with physical activity, the Mediterranean diet could improve not only your health, but your overall quality of life!

A traditional Mediterranean diet consists of large quantities of fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, fish, whole grains, legumes, olive oil, and less red meat and dairy. Replace processed foods and refined sugars and flour with natural ingredients, and your body and taste buds will thank you.  Click here to see some of our wholesome Mediterranean recipes.

Here are 5 more reasons to consider switching!

1. More and more studies are linking the Mediterranean diet with disease prevention.
Numerous studies have linked the Mediterranean diet to reduced heart disease, Alzheimer’s, cancer, type 2 diabetes, and other conditions. Refined breads, processed foods, and red meat are discouraged in a Mediterranean diet, and it encourages drinking red wine instead of hard liquor, which have all been linked to heart disease and stroke prevention.

2. It’s Budget Friendly.
Not only is this way of eating good for your health, it’s good for your wallet too! If you stick with meals that emphasize vegetables, whole grains and legumes, you may discover that the Mediterranean diet to be less expensive than serving dishes with larger portions of meat, cheese, and processed foods.

3. It’s not just what you eat, HOW you eat your meals could make you healthier and reduce stress.
Though food choices play a large factor, you might enjoy adjusting your habits to reflect the Mediterranean lifestyle. Rather than rushing through your meals or eating in front of a television (or even worse, a car!); sit down for a relaxed, leisurely meal with others. It could be as important for your health as what’s on your plate.

4. Fewer cravings = weight loss.
A Mediterranean diet is rich in fiber, which makes you feel fuller longer by slowing down digestion. A fiber rich diet has also been shown to prevent huge swings in blood sugar, which can curb your appetite and reduce cravings for sweets and other processed foods.

5. It could help you age gracefully.
The nutrients and high levels of antioxidants associated with a Mediterranean diet may reduce the risk of developing muscle weakness and other signs of frailty. Researchers speculate that the Mediterranean diet may improve cholesterol and blood sugar levels and overall blood vessel health. When there is a reduction in developing heart disease or cancer, as in the case when you follow a Mediterranean diet, there is a 20% reduced risk of death at any age.

Mediterranean products that have been enjoyed for generations are now available in an all-natural line. We, at Jeff’s Naturals,  are passionate about healthy eating and are pleased to offer a line of Mediterranean products that are free of preservatives, stablilizers, artificial colors, flavors and sulfites.  Click here to learn more about our 100% natural line of olives, peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, capers and more!

Article Sources:
www.hsph.harvard.edu
www.helpguide.org/life

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