Elder Care in Monmouth Junction NJ

It’s International Mediterranean Diet Month! Did you know that the Mediterranean Diet is an actual diet and the International Mediterranean Diet Month is celebrating its twenty-third year in existence? The food and nutrition nonprofit organization, Oldways, first introduced the Mediterranean Diet with the Med Diet Pyramid in 1993. Oldways, along with Harvard School of Public Health, had convened the International Conference on the Diets of the Mediterranean in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

But just how healthy is the Mediterranean diet, and is it healthy enough that you should consider incorporating aspects of it into your loved one’s diet? When you consider the elder care your parent receives, diet is a very important factor. The good news is the Mediterranean diet is heavy with fruits, vegetables, nuts, and grains, ingredients that aren’t difficult to prepare. This diet takes basic healthy eating, and adds olive oil and red wine, staples of meals from that region.

What are the benefits? Research shows this diet can help reduce the risk of heart disease and cardiovascular mortality. In addition to this, it’s associated with reduced incidence of cancer, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s disease.

It shouldn’t surprise you that Mediterranean food has been growing in popularity over the last few years. Have you ever enjoyed pita bread, or ordered sun-dried tomatoes on your pasta? How about the newest craze, Greek yogurt? There’s a reason these foods are so popular, besides the fact that they taste so good. They’re also healthy. There are chefs who remove sour cream from their meals and substitute it with Greek yogurt instead. Hummus is another popular Mediterranean dish that’s healthy and delicious.

If you’d like to try out the Mediterranean diet with your loved one, here’s are a few tips on how to get started.

• The Mediterranean diet contains fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and nuts
• Get rid of the butter and replace it with olive oil or canola oil
• Red meat is not part of this diet, so cut back to eating it only a few times a week
• Replace that red meat by eating fish and poultry at least twice a week
• Use herbs instead of salt. Herbs are far more flavorful and a lot less harmful
• You can enjoy red wine, but only in moderation and if it won’t cause an adverse reaction with any medication your loved one is taking
• Exercise

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring elder care in Monmouth Junction, NJ or the surrounding areas, please call Independence Home Care today at 609-208-1111 for more information.