Home & Lifestyle Summer 2022

Mediterranean diet for a heart-healthy eating plan

R esearch supports the use of the Mediterranean diet as a healthy eating pattern for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, increasing lifespan, and healthy aging. When used in conjunction with calorie restriction, the diet may also support healthy weight loss. There has been a lot of talk about whether fat or sugar is the worst offender when it comes to our diets. But by focusing on individual dietary components, it’s easy to miss the bigger picture. While it’s important to understand how different foods and nutrients affect our health, a whole diet approach offers a more helpful way of looking at our eating habits and choices. A typical Mediterranean diet includes lots of vegetables, fruits, beans, cereals and cereal

As research into the benefits of this type of diet is ongoing, there may eventually be certain foods that are found to have greater significance for health. For now, however, it seems it is the overall diet approach and the combination of foods, rather than individual ‘superfoods’ that make this such a healthy way to eat. This makes sense, as it’s true that if you are eating an unhealthy diet full of processed foods, adding one element such as olive oil is unlikely to have noticeable health benefits if that’s the only change you make. However, if you adjust your whole diet so you eat a little less meat and more fish, opt for healthy fats and eat more fruit and vegetables, then it couldmake a significant difference.

products, for example wholegrain bread, pasta and brown rice. It also contains moderate amounts of fish, white meat and some dairy. It’s the combination of all these elements that seems to bring health benefits, but one of the key aspects is the inclusion of healthy fats. Olive oil, which is a monounsaturated fat, is most commonly associated with the Mediterranean diet, but polyunsaturated fats are also present in nuts, seeds and oily fish. Research into the traditional Mediterranean diet has shown it may reduce our risk of developing conditions like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which are all risk factors for heart disease. Researchers have also found that people who closely follow a Mediterranean diet may live a longer life and be less likely to put on weight.

FEELING DEHYDRATED? Drinking water is an important way to keep your body hydrated. However, eating foods that have a high water content can help you stay hydrated on those long hot summer days. Watermelon is 92% water. Fibre and water are important for healthy digestion and watermelon contains both. Enjoy this tasty low-calorie treat - it's very good for your health. Watermelon Sticks with Yoghurt Ingredients :: 600g watermelon Raspberry-flavoured yoghurt, to serve Method: Trim the rind from the watermelon and cut the flesh into 5mm-long pieces. Place on a serving platter and serve immediately with yoghurt on the side to dip sticks into.

D on't miss THE ROBERTSON BROTHERS 1960's TV VARIETY SHOW with special guest Simon Brook McLachlan - from the original cast of the hit musical Jersey Boys! Do you dream of reliving the good old days? Friday 1st April - Laycock St Theatre

With a rockin’ live band and an amazing multimedia presentation, expect to be entertained by many of the Classic Hits from the 60's. Through the prism of the Variety TV show format you'll travel back in time to embrace and celebrate all the hits of these 60's Music Legends. You'll be singing, dancing, laughing and crying to ‘Georgy Girl’, ‘Morningtown Ride’, ‘I’ll Never Find Another You’, ‘Oh Carol’, ‘Calendar Girl’, ‘Happy Birthday Sweet 16’, 'Spicks and Specks', 'To Love Somebody', 'Massachusetts', plus so many more in this celebration of your favourite 60’s Superstars! Tickets - Friday 1st April - Laycock St Theatre - Adult $69, Concession / Student / Groups 10+ $65, Child 60 - Bookings: Phone 4323 3233 Laycock St Theatre - 5 Laycock Street North Gosford E.LaycockStreetTheatre@centralcoast.nsw.gov.au

26 Home & Lifestyle Magazine | Summer 2022