Teresa Turner

Can the Mediterranean Diet Inspire Healthy Shopping Habits? Fad diets have been around for a long time. Grapefruit diet for one. Atkins diet as another. On the other hand, there is a diet that has been around for centuries. The Meditteranean diet. So why is that? The Mediterranean diet is a lifestyle – and it's been practiced widely in countries surrounding the Mediterranean. It includes plenty of excellent choices–wine from various regions, Filone di Renella bread, Taleggio cheese, for example. And, the secret ingredient: moderation. Don't forget the olive oil. If moderation and variety are the winning combinations for a Mediterranean diet, how can retailers use it to sell this diet? Consumers are always looking for simple ways to supply their kitchen with healthy food options. Why not offer some robust assistance in the form of all those food pairings that come naturally in the Mediterranean way of eating? There is a colorful assortment of delicious meal plans and healthy snacks. Like for example, Mozzarella-Stuffed Chicken Parm with a glass of Sicilian Nero d'Avola wine. Spotlight of local, artisan cheeses, fresh California table grapes paired with prosciutto. According to the California Olive Oil Council, shoppers prefer locally grown olive oil since some Meditteranean oils do not have the same California guidelines. Some out of country olive oils can include other oils such as canola. Extra virgin olive oil contains high oleic acid levels, about 75%, compared to 60% in corn and canola oils. This monounsaturated fat helps reduce overall blood cholesterol levels. It lowers the LDL known as harmful cholesterol levels in the blood while maintaining and, even increasing, HDL--which is the good cholesterol levels. A diet rich in monounsaturated fats, found in nuts, seeds, and olive oil, plays a protective role against many diseases, including heart disease, type-2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and stroke. It reinforces the importance of a healthy Mediterranean diet. Not only that, but the Mediterranean diet is widely accepted as healthful and has positive imagery associated with it. There is something about the Mediterranean diet. It's not processed, and it comes from the earth. There is an excellent cookbook out there by Sophia Loran called Sophia Loren's Recipes & Memories. As we know, Sophia Loren is an actress. But, she is what Italy cooking is made of. Ms. Loren has health-conscious and delicious recipes to follow. Look for a Sophia Loren movie and cook. Just don't forget the wine. During COVID-19, shimmer a little Mediterranean brightness on the consumer experience can-even if subdued-take shoppers across the pond where the lifestyle and appeal of this diet are stirred up. Can you imagine feasting in Italy, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Greece, Cyprus, and Croatia, to name a few? Most of the ingredients are available in the USA. Two major highlights of the Mediterranean diet offers a delicious arrangement of fresh, flavorful foods. Organic vegetables and fruits, whole grains, legumes and beans, seeds and nuts, healthy fats such as olive oil daily; food from the sea weekly; and meats and sweets periodically. Consuming a Mediterranean diet promotes a long and healthy lifestyle. It's also associated with numerous health benefits, including longevity, lowering heart disease risks, certain cancers, stroke, and maintaining a healthy weight. Red wine contains powerful antioxidants, and many sources claim that drinking it has health benefits. Such as cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, hypertension, certain types of cancer, type 2 diabetes, neurological disorders, and metabolic syndrome What is better than going into a kitchen, pour yourself a glass of Mediterranean wine. Turn on some Bocelli music and cook away.