Over in the sunny spots of the Mediterranean, eating’s all about hanging out. The food’s awesome, sure, but it’s really about getting together with friends and family, chatting about everything, and laughing a lot.
This whole vibe is what makes the Mediterranean diet so cool, experts say. Throw in daily walks and eating more fruits, veggies, whole grains, nuts, and seeds (and less red meat and sweets), and you’ve got a way of eating that’s been voted top diet for six years straight.
Not sure yet? Research shows that eating this way can help keep away a bunch of health problems like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart issues, strokes, and even feeling really down.
So, how about we forget dieting next year and just enjoy food as part of being healthy? CNN’s got this newsletter called “Eat, But Better: Mediterranean Style” that’s all about this tasty, healthy way of eating.
Here are five quick tips from the newsletter to kick off your new healthy eating vibe:
- Whole Grains Are the Way to Go
Getting into the Mediterranean diet can start with something simple like switching up your grains. Go for whole wheat bread and pasta, and swap out white rice for brown or wild rice.
Don’t forget about “ancient grains” like quinoa, amaranth, millet, farro, spelt, Kamut (which people say was found in an Egyptian tomb), and teff (a tiny grain from Ethiopia). They all taste and feel different, so maybe try a new one each month until you find the ones you like best.
