Those pictures of Mediterranean meals! Don’t they look fabulous? We can imagine a world of bright colours, variety, scrumptiousness, joyful gatherings of friends and family in lush settings, the blue and white of Mykonos homes, dancing like Zorba, and coffee get-togethers at a Santorini Café.
Back in the real world, if we’re looking for a way to manage our weight, protect our heart, and prevent diabetes, no surprise that the Mediterranean way of eating does much of this. It fulfills all the recommendations of our Canada Food Guide, like eating plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and protein, and choosing protein foods that come from plants. While not specifically a weight-loss diet, it’s a way of selecting, preparing, and eating foods that are good for us.
One of many important components of a Mediterranean diet is extra virgin olive oil (EVOI). It’s worth a look, in spite of the price tag. It has many benefits, which ordinary olive oil and other oils don’t have. It enhances the flavours of nutritious foods like fish and vegetables, and the healthy fats found in EVOI can also help us feel full and satisfied, which can reduce cravings for snacks or sweets. It lowers LDL cholesterol in the blood, which, in turn, reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke, lessens inflammation, and combats free radicals that can damage cells and lead to various diseases. It will lubricate the intestinal tract and can reduce the overproduction of gastric acid. The healthy fats in EVOI can help our body absorb vitamins A, D, E, and K more efficiently. It can aid in reducing the body’s glycemic response to high-glycemic foods, which is incredibly helpful in the management of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. And it even has high levels of Vitamin E and Vitamin K, both of which are essential for healthy skin and hair. Extra virgin olive oil can help get our weight to where we want it, where we feel good and can do the things we want more easily. And, did you know that olives themselves, the source of olive oil, are also great for our health?
At TOPS we’ve explored the qualities of oils, such as olive, avocado, sunflower, peanut, and sesame, the values of different fruits and vegetables, and the best ways to prepare a variety of foods to improve their benefits. It’s like going to school each week. We learn so much from one another. When a member of TOPS reaches their goal weight, they become members of KOPS (Keep off Pounds Sensibly) and continue to share their knowledge and serve as good examples of how to stay with it, no matter the setbacks.
Our group might be just what you’re looking for; please know that we would love to have you join us. TOPS welcomes everyone of any age, gender, or interest, who wants to take off pounds sensibly. The meetings are informative, encouraging, and friendly. We are an international, budget-friendly self-help program. Your first visit is free. Go to www.tops.org for more information or contact us.
Submitted by Amber Harvey
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