(Food-Beverage-News.Com, November 03, 2014 ) Oakland, CA -- Heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death in America. As a result, raising awareness to avoid the risk of acquiring the disease has become more of a priority than ever. One clear way to help the public is by providing information on diets that should be adopted to boost heart health. Finesseur, makers of contemporary kitchenware, would like to contribute to this objective by turning their focus on the Mediterranean Diet - a top choice for health-conscious individuals.
"To be more pro-active in caring for their heart's health, more and more people today are leaving their unhealthy diets behind and adopting this plant-based diet," explains Finesseur spokesperson Allison Montgomery.
How exactly does a plant-based diet decrease one's risk for heart disease? In theory, people who live near the Mediterranean Sea are said to live longer than their American counterparts. They are also less inclined to have cancer and cardiovascular ailments. This has been attributed to their diet with minimal sugar, saturated fat, and red meat; weight management and control; and active lifestyle.
"Logically, this nutritional approach can make a big difference for anyone in pursuit of a healthier well-being," says Montgomery. "When it comes to any diet though, it is a must to check if it can work according to your lifestyle needs and health condition. Through this information, we want to help individuals make a sound decision before getting into the Mediterranean Diet."
The Southern European diet
The Mediterranean Diet centers on the nutritional habits of the people of Crete, Greece, southern Italy, Spain, southern France, and Portugal. The diet promotes consumption of:
*Plant foods, fresh fruits, nuts, beans, cereals, seeds *Olive oil for dietary fats *Cheese and yogurt for dairy foods *Moderate amounts of fish and poultry (up to four eggs per week) *Small amounts of red meat each week *Low to moderate amounts of wine
Physical activities are encouraged to complement the diet.
Health-promoting plant-based diet
The Mediterranean Diet focuses on eating legumes like peas, chick peas, lentils, and alfalfa, which according to a study by the University of Toronto in 2012, help improve glycemic control in people with type 2 diabetes, while also lessening risk of developing coronary heart disease. Another study by McMaster University also associated good heart health with a diet rich in vegetables, nuts, and monounsaturated fatty acids. Based on a study by the BMJ (British Medical Journal), traditional Mediterranean Diet has also been found to protect people from type 2 diabetes. More recent studies reveal that the diet is also good for the brain and helps protect the bones.
Following the Mediterranean Diet to a T
The Mediterranean Diet conforms to the government's dietary guidelines. About 20 to 35 percent of daily calories consist of fats. 10 to 25 percent comes from protein. 50 percent comes from carbohydrates.
Montgomery stresses that following the government's dietary recommendation is key to making the Mediterranean Diet a success. "We sometimes tend to lose sight of the accepted dietary guidelines when following a particular diet. To ensure that you're within the Mediterranean Diet's required range, using measuring aids like the Finesseur Digital Food Scale is a must. This device provides precise measurements of foods to help one adopt effective portion control. With accurate food measurements, you can easily monitor your nutritional requirements and ensure you're following the Mediterranean Diet to make it effective," shares Montgomery.
Giving the Mediterranean Diet a try
Based on U.S. News rankings, the Mediterranean Diet is voted No. 1 Best Plant-Based Diet. It placed 3rd in the Easiest Diets To Follow, Best Diets For Healthy Eating, and Best Diets Overall categories. It clinched the 4th, 8th and 15th positions in the Best Heart-Healthy Diets, Best Diabetes Diets, and Best Weight Loss Diets categories, respectively.
"The Mediterranean Diet is undoubtedly a popular diet that is easy to follow, and will help you lose weight and stay healthy with the fiber-rich diet it promotes. With this useful information, you can be on your way to caring for your heart and overall health the right way," concludes Montgomery.
About Finesseur
Finesseur brings fashion design, precise engineering, and top quality craftsmanship together in American kitchens. Finesseur believes kitchen tools should be not only functional, but also inspirational.
