Reap the Rewards of Eating Healthy Fats on a Mediterranean Diet
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Which of the Following Foods Should Provide the Majority of Fat in the Mediterranean Diet?
It’s no secret that the Mediterranean diet is hailed as one of the healthiest around. Often considered to be synonymous with healthy eating, this diet traditionally consists of whole foods such as fruits and vegetables, grains, legumes, fish, dairy, olive oil and other healthy fats. One question that many people have when considering this lifestyle is ‘which foods should provide us with the majority of fat?’ If you are looking to reap all of the benefits of a Mediterranean-style diet then it is important to understand what foods will provide you with your daily quota.
The answer isn’t so straightforward – there can be different opinions on what makes up a balanced Mediterranean-style diet. Generally speaking though, experts recommend that you get your fat from monounsaturated (MUFA) or polyunsaturated (PUFA) sources rather than saturated fatty acids (SFAs). Mono- and polyunsaturated fats have been shown to reduce cardiovascular risk factors and lower cholesterol levels – both good news if you are aiming for lifelong health!
So which foods should we turn to in order to get our MUFAs and PUFAs? Let’s take a look at some examples:
Olive Oil
Olive oil is probably the most well known source of fat in a Mediterranean diet. It has been used for cooking for centuries in countries like Spain, Greece, Portugal and Italy. As well as being incredibly tasty, it also provides us with mono-unsaturated fats which are essential for keeping us healthy. In fact, extra virgin olive oil is thought to be especially beneficial as it contains antioxidants which can help protect against disease.
Nuts & Seeds
Many nuts and seeds are great sources of healthy fats such as walnuts, almonds, sesame seeds and even sunflower seeds! Not only are they delicious but they also provide us with fiber and minerals like magnesium which keep us feeling full for longer. Eating just three tablespoons per day can help reduce bad cholesterol levels in our bodies too – making them an ideal snack choice over more unhealthy options!
Avocado
Avocados are often referred to as ‘superfoods’ due to their impressive nutritional content. They contain an array of vitamins and minerals such as vitamin K and potassium but they also supply us with healthy fat in the form of oleic acid – a type of mono-unsaturated fatty acid which has been linked with improved cardiac health. You can enjoy avocado on toast or make some delicious guacamole – either way it will provide you with plenty of those essential muftas!
Fish
Finally fish can be another great source of MUFAs which studies have indicated can improve heart health significantly when eaten regularly together with other sources mentioned above such as nuts or avocados. Some fishes containing high amounts include salmon, herring and sardines – all great options for adding into your weekly meal plan whilst following a mediterranean style eating regime!
In Summary
So there we have it - these four foods should provide you with most if not all your MUFA needs whilst following a traditional mediterranean style eating plan: olive oil; nuts & seeds; avocado; fish! All are incredibly delicious too so why not give one or two new recipes featuring these ingredients each week - it will definitely ensure that you reap all the benefits without having to compromise on taste!
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