What is a Mediterranean Style Diet?

More American's--especially the baby boom generation--are learning the importance of eating healthy. Research studies indicate that eating Mediterranean-style seems to reduces the risk of mild cognitive impairment, dementia, and Alzheimer's.

There are numerous studies that indicate this style of eating helps reduce cardiovascular risk factors like high cholesterol, hypertension and diabetes.

All of the above are linked to Alzheimer's. I have wrote about about all these topics previously on this blog.

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The Mediterranean diet is a heart-healthy eating plan combining elements of Mediterranean-style cooking. Here are some good examples of foods on a Mediterranean-style diet?

• Whole-grain breads
  
• Pasta
• Whole fruits: baby carrots, apples and bananas
  
• Vegetables: spinach, eggplant, tomatoes, broccoli, peppers, garlic, capers
  
• Nuts: almonds, walnuts
  
• Fish: salmon, water-packed tuna, salmon, trout, mackerel
• Red wine or purple juice
• Natural peanut butter (no hydrogenated fat added)
  

Here are some additional tips:

• Use butter sparingly. "Low fat" or "cholesterol-free" on the label doesn't mean a product is necessarily good for you--think trans fats
  
• Substitute fish and poultry for red meat. Avoid sausage, bacon and other high-fat meats.
• Limit higher fat dairy products such as whole or 2 percent milk, cheese and ice cream. Switch to skim milk, fat-free yogurt and low-fat cheese.

I find myself rubbing olive oil on just about everything these days. I also give my mother two olives a day. Seems to work, so I am an advocate.

Bon Appetite.

Go here to read -- Mediterranean Diet and Exercise Cut the Risk of Alzheimer's Risk by 60 Percent

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Bob DeMarco is an Alzheimer's caregiver and editor of the Alzheimer's Reading Room. The Alzheimer's Reading Room is the number one website on the Internet for advice and insight into Alzheimer's disease. Bob taught at the University of Georgia, was an executive at Bear Stearns, the CEO of IP Group, and is a mentor. He has written more than 700 articles with more than 18,000 links on the Internet. Bob resides in Delray Beach, FL.

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