My Big Healthy Greek Diet
(Page 3 of 3)
The base of the pyramid is daily exercise, followed by the
traditional Greek foods we should all eat more of, notably
whole (rather than processed) grains, and generous servings
of fruits and vegetables, nuts and beans. Olive oil, cheese
and yogurt also make the list of daily foods, but need to
be eaten in exchange for—not in addition
to—other, less healthy fats.
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Although meat is an important part of the pyramid, it isn't
eaten on a daily basis, and red meat is recommended only a
few times a month and in small portions. Unlike the U.S.
Department of Agriculture's Food Guide Pyramid, the
Mediterranean pyramid recognizes the health benefits of red
wine and suggests drinking a glass a day.
GREEK SPIRIT
According to Greek mythology, it was the god Dionysus, son
of Zeus, who gave humankind the vine and taught the Greeks
how to cultivate and ferment the sacred wine. The Greek
saying, "The gods are only a memory, but one can taste the
gods in the wine," corresponds with the ageless Greek
tradition of enjoying a glass of wine at almost every meal.
Research conducted by Dr. D.K. Das and colleagues at the
University of Connecticut School of Medicine suggests that
red wine contains flavonoid antioxidants and resveratrol,
an organic compound from grape skins that may lower the
risk of blood clots and heart attacks. In 2002, researchers
in France found that drinking red wine in moderation may
even increase HDL cholesterol levels.
The Mediterranean food pyramid recommends drinking about a
glass of wine a day to promote good health. (For some
people, though, drinking wine is not advisable. For
example, women who are pregnant or people who take
medications that might interact with alcohol should not
imbibe.)
Greek food is a wise choice, whether you're at risk for
high cholesterol, suffering from high blood pressure,
trying to stave off obesity or just looking for
mouth-watering dishes to satisfy your appetite. Try the
classic recipes on Page 104—they highlight the
great-tasting and healthy ingredients of Greek cuisine that
help protect against heart disease and certain types of
cancer. Make these dishes individually or cook them all for
a healthy, happy feast with family and friends!
Elaine Gavalas, author of Secrets of Fat-Free Greek
Cooking, is a nutritionist, exercise physiologist and
weight-management specialist.
Mother Earth News
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