08 Apr Eating Like a Greek Promotes Longer, Healthier Life
The Mediterranean diet isn’t really a diet; it’s a lifestyle adopted by people in Greece and one we embrace at Park Springs. Studies show that people who eat like the Greeks experience lower rates of:
● Bowel cancer
● Insulin resistance
● Fatty liver disease
● Inflammation
● Cognitive decline
● Frailty
Researchers think it’s because of the way Mediterranean foods change the gut’s microbes, shows a study published in the journal Gut. They concluded that the beneficial changes in the gut can, in turn, promote healthier aging.
Park Springs serves up Mediterranean cuisine
Thankfully, you don’t have to move to Greece to enjoy the benefits of Mediterranean fare. At Park Springs we’re committed to serving foods that are both nutritious and delicious with a Mediterranean twist.
“Healthy eating is important to our Members so it’s at the top of my priority list,” says Marcus Walden, Park Springs Executive Chef. “As you progress through life, diet plays an important role in your body, especially your organs. We make sure our Members get plenty of vegetables and we encourage them to stay away from trans fats and processed foods. I want to make sure that everything I put in their bodies has a lot of nutritional value.”
If you want to taste Mediterranean food at its finest, you’ll find it at Park Springs’ Haven Restaurant located in our Assisted Living households at Cobblestone. Haven is open to Members, their guests, and anyone on a Park Springs tour.
“We use a lot of fresh ingredients like olives, olive oil, tomatoes, and fresh herbs,” says Walter Moser, Park Springs Director of Culinary Services. “We want to make sure that those foods are incorporated into the menu, but keep it where it’s still comfort food like our vegan Mediterranean burgers.”
What to eat
In addition to dining like a Greek at Park Springs, you can also stock up on Med-inspired food choices. Take this list with you the next time you go grocery shopping:
● Fresh fruit and vegetables
● Beans
● Extra virgin olive oil for frying, roasting, and sauteing
● Cheese and plain Greek yogurt
● Fish such as salmon, sardines, anchovies, and mackerel
● Poultry
● Whole grains
● Water
● Red wine (in moderation)
● Minimally processed foods
● Nuts and seeds
What not to eat
To enjoy the full benefits of a Mediterranean eating plan, you’ll want to limit the following foods or remove them completely from your diet:
● Highly processed foods like chips
● Refined grains such as white bread and white pasta
● Foods with added sugars like pastries and sodas
● Red meat
● Processed meats like hot dogs
● Butter
● Alcohol (other than red wine)
● Vegetable oils like corn and canola
To learn more about our nutritional offerings and life in our Assisted Living households at Cobblestone, contact Alanna Conner, Director of Health Services Sales and Marketing at 678-684-3156 or aconner@parksprings.com.