Mayo Clinic Heart Diet: Mayo Clinic Cardiac Diet MenuEat A Raw Vegetable Diet To Improve Heart HealthWhat exactly is the Mayo Clinic Heart Diet? Isn’t a heart diet the same no matter where you get it? Not all diets are the same. The Mayo Clinic diet believes in the power of Mediterranean cooking as the best diet for the heart. The Mediterranean diet is based upon that of Italians and Greeks who border the Mediterranean. Let’s take a closer look at the Mediterranean diet. Mayo Clinic Heart Diet: Extra Virgin Olive OilIf you know any Italians personally you would think they bathe themselves in olive oil. Italians add a splash of olive oil to just about anything. For the Italian, a chunk of bread, a slice of tomato sprinkled with fresh basil and olive oil for dipping is a little piece of heaven.Actually this way of eating is very good for you, if the bread is whole wheat. This is one area that the Italians still have not mastered as far as eating – they still bake and eat white Italian breads and pastries. They would be much healthier if they chose to eat whole grain bread. The Greek culture really goes for the olive oil too, but not like the Italians. A big misnomer in the American culture is that oil is bad for you. And some oils are, but not cold press raw oils, like Pure Virgin Olive oil. When you buy olive oil make sure it says cold pressed on the jar, otherwise it may have been cooked while extracting oil from the olives, which in that case is not that good for you. Most Extra Virgin Olive Oils are cold pressed and raw.
Mayo Clinic Heart Diet: Red Wine vs. Grape JuiceIt is true that red wine has anticancer and antioxidant properties. Red wine also lowers cholesterol. But what about people who are allergic to alcohol, how can they get the benefits of red wine? That’s easy. What is the main ingredient in making wine? Grapes, right?Concord red grape juice has the same antioxidant and anticancer properties as red wine. So get out there and buy some good old-fashioned grape juice for those of you who do not drink alcohol. Another great way to get the benefits is to juice a handful of grapes in your juicer every time you juice. The seeds are loaded with antioxidants. By the way, research has also stated that to get the benefits from red wine, one must drink enough to be declared legally drunk, which is about 10 to 12 ounces. Research has also said that at this point it is pretty much counterproductive, seeing that alcohol is not good for you.
Mayo Clinic Heart Diet: Fresh Fruits and VegetablesA healthy heart relies on healthy fruits and veggies. Another interesting note about the culture in Italy is the fresh produce stands on the street every day.In both Greece and Italy they eat very little meat compared to their overall fruits, vegetables, and grain consumption. The fruits and vegetables are fresh and they eat lots of legumes, which mean a healthy diet for a healthy heart. The Mayo Clinic heart diet also relies on the eating of a lot of fish. Fish is very good for the heart. Cultures living around the Mediterranean eat whatever they can catch. Italians cook with many different varieties of fish, from squid to swordfish. Fish is eaten on Tuesday’s and Fridays in Italy. The fishing boats come in and the fish goes to market, which are full of freshly caught fish and shellfish. Eat for your heart. Sources: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/food-and-nutrition/AN00576
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/mediterranean-diet/CL00011
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