You really are what you eat, especially when it comes to the aging process. The foods and drinks you consume on a daily basis have a larger impact on how you age than many people realize, so it's important to consistently incorporate some healthy, easy eating habits into your daily routine!
According to Laura Burak, MS, RD, author of Slimdown with Smoothies, and founder of Laura Burak Nutrition, one of the best daily eating habits for healthy aging is following the Mediterranean Diet.
"Staying consistent with healthy habits such as focusing on the elements of the heavily studied Mediterranean Diet, is key to contributing to a longer healthier life. Incorporating plenty of nutrient-rich produce and other omega-3 (aka heart-healthy) foods like fish, avocado, nuts, and olive oil can slow the aging process."
Continue reading to learn more about the aging benefits of following a Mediterranean-inspired diet, and for more healthy aging tips, check out Diet Secrets of the Longest Living People in the World.
How the Mediterranean Diet can slow aging
The proven health benefits of the Mediterranean Diet are overwhelmingly positive. Studies have found that following this eating pattern can significantly reduce the risk of fatal cardiovascular disease, stroke, coronary heart disease, and overall mortality rates.
One study published in JAMA Network followed over 26,000 women, and after years of follow-up, they concluded that adhering to a Mediterranean style of eating lowered their risk of cardiovascular disease.
How to follow this eating pattern
The Mediterranean Diet is called a "diet," but it's mostly an eating pattern to follow loosely. Instead of counting calories or limiting how much you eat, this habit is more about incorporating healthy fats and other important nutrients.
The emphasis is put on consuming mostly plant-based foods, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, fatty fish, and olive oil while limiting your consumption of meat to rarer occasions. A Mediterranean diet also usually limits how much dairy you consume but also encourages yogurt for its probiotic effects.
The takeaway
This eating plan gives you plenty of freedom because there's no requirement for how much of each food group you need. This takes away the feeling of restriction and allows you to find the foods you enjoy eating that can fit within the plan.
To start cooking in a way that follows the Mediterranean Diet, try these 15 Best Mediterranean Diet Recipes.
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