Chances are you’ve heard of the Mediterranean Diet. It’s touted as one of the healthiest ways to eat. May is International Mediterranean Diet Month, a good time to learn more. If you’re interested in finding a healthier way for your aging relative to eat, understanding the Mediterranean Diet might help you to decide if it’s right for your loved one.
What Are the Benefits?
The idea of the Mediterranean Diet is to follow the traditional way that people in Greece and Italy ate in the 1960s. The diet came to light when researchers found that people who lived in those areas of the world were overall healthier than people living in the United States.
One of the health benefits of the Mediterranean Diet is that it is believed to reduce the risk of developing heart disease. It has been linked to a reduction of LDL cholesterol, which is the kind that can clog arteries. Studies have shown that people who follow the diet have a reduced chance of dying from cardiovascular disease.
The diet has also been linked to a decreased risk of other major diseases, including:
-Cancer
-Parkinson’s disease
-Alzheimer’s disease
What Can Seniors Eat?
The Mediterranean Diet is a lot like other healthy ways of eating in that it involves eating a lot of fruits, vegetables, fish, and whole grains. The difference comes in the proportions of foods that are eaten and in a focus on consuming healthy fats, like olive oil and avocados.
The basic rules of the diet are:
- Eating mostly plant-based foods.
- Using olive oil and other healthy fats instead of butter.
- Flavoring foods with herbs and spices instead of salt.
- Eating red meat no more than a couple of times per month.
- Serving fish or poultry at least two times per week.
- Having an occasional glass of red wine, though this rule is optional.
But, the Mediterranean Diet isn’t just about what people eat, it’s also about how they live their lives. The diet also recommends making meals a communal event that people enjoy with family and friends. In addition, followers of the diet are encouraged to get plenty of exercises.
Are There Foods to Avoid?
Just as with other healthy ways of eating, following the Mediterranean Diet does mean avoiding certain kinds of unhealthy foods, like:
- Refined grains.
- Added sugar.
- Processed meat.
- Trans fat.
- Refined oils.
- Highly processed foods.
If your aging relative is interested in trying the Mediterranean Diet, senior care can help them to make the change.
A senior care provider can assist with planning balanced meals and making a grocery list. They can also drive the older adult to the grocery store and help them to load up the cart with healthy foods. And, senior care can cook the meals and provide the social element of the Mediterranean Diet by keeping them company while they eat.
For more information about hiring Home Care Services in La Costa, CA, call the friendly caregivers at La Jolla Nurses Homecare who can help your aging parents remain in their own homes, at 858-454-9339. We are a home care agency providing quality and affordable senior care in La Jolla, CA, and the surrounding communities.
Sources
Mayoclinic.org
Healthline.com
Heart.org
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