Mediterranean Diet Ranked #1 in the World

For the fifth consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report has ranked the Mediterranean diet as the #1 best diet overall, topping a list of 35 different diet plans designed to promote health. U.S. News also ranked it as the #1 Easiest Diet to Follow. Additionally, the Mediterranean diet took the top spot, or tied for the top spot, in four other lists: Best Diets for Healthy Eating, Easiest Diets to Follow, Best Heart Healthy Diets and Best Diets for Diabetes. 

I know the benefits of the Mediterranean diet well having cooked this way for years for my family, as well as for assisted living residents who reside in communities managed by my company, Senior Living Residences. A decade ago we launched our Brain Healthy Cooking Program, which is based on the Mediterranean diet, well before it garnered international media attention.

In the last ten years since we embraced the Mediterranean diet, it has gained in popularity year after year. Why? Because it’s easy to follow! There are no gimmicks – it’s not a fad. 

The health benefits of the Mediterranean diet have been scientifically proven to provide the body with potent disease-fighting antioxidants and nutrients with anti-inflammatory properties. It promotes heart health and is great for people managing diabetes. It has been proven to reduce the chance of stroke. One study even says the diet is linked with a lower risk of hearing loss. 

But, for us at Senior Living Residences, the most compelling reason we decided to implement the Mediterranean diet for older adults living in our assisted living communities is that it promotes brain health. In fact, back in 2009 when we were test piloting our Brain Healthy Cooking Program, our efforts were affirmed by the most comprehensive study done to date describing a direct connection between diet and cognitive health. Researchers found that individuals who adhered to a Mediterranean Diet had a 32-40% decreased risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Imagine being able to protect your cognitive health and memory! We should all be eating Mediterranean style. Oldways, an organization that my company is affiliated with that promotes the Mediterranean diet calls it “Mediterranean Magic”. I couldn’t agree more. 

Basic Principles of the Mediterranean Diet

• Eat more vegetables (dark leafy greens are the best)
• Eat a variety of fruits (dark berries are great)
• Eat less red meat. Concerned about protein? Add legumes into your diet for healthful plant-based protein
• Have fish and/or other seafood at least 2 times weekly
• Reduce sugar (refined sugar and high fructose corn syrup)
• Reduce saturated fat, but add healthy omega 3 fats that are found in fish, avocados and olive oil (Check out Oldways’ guide to Healthy Fats)
• Consume a handful of nuts every day (almonds and walnuts are at the top of the nut list)
• Add whole grains into your daily regimen
• And a quick tip: use tasty spices to cut back on salt