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Health Capsules

MEDITERRANEAN FOOD

Émilie Pagé

MEDITERRANEAN FOOD

MEDITERRANEAN FOOD

 

 

Recently, the Sporthèque team set up a nutritional support program based on the Mediterranean diet, the Projet Équilibre. For our nutritionists, the choice of this orientation was obvious, because it is a method of feeding whose positive effects are scientifically proven and because the dishes that are attached to it are simply delicious. Here is some practical information about this diet.

Its origin

The Mediterranean diet, also known as the Cretan diet is part of the culture of the countries surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea. It is mainly the traditional diet of the Greek islands of Crete and Corfu.

What is it about

This diet is characterized by a high intake of cereals (mainly whole grain): vegetables, legumes, fruits, nuts and olive oil. It also promotes regular consumption of fish and poultry, as well as moderate consumption of alcohol, dairy products and eggs.

Unlike North American food, this diet is characterized by low consumption of sweets, red meat and cold cuts.

Proven effectiveness

In the 1960s, researchers found that the Cretan population died less of heart disease than many other populations. Since then, many other health benefits have been scientifically proven, in addition to the impact on heart disease:

Reduced risk of certain cancers since diets rich in plants and antioxidants are recommended for the prevention of cancer;

Maintains a healthy weight because this diet focuses on fresh and unprocessed foods;

Significantly lower risk of cardiovascular disease, including myocardial infarction and stroke;

Reduced risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

In short, the Mediterranean diet, unlike strict diets, is much easier to integrate into our lifestyle and is very flexible. In addition to the food aspect, what must also be remembered from this practice is the importance of the meal, with family or friends. Indeed, the importance of taking the time to sit down, share the moment and savor. It is a legacy of this culture that we would like to integrate into our habits.