Secret of the Mediterranean diet

[johnny333]

In case people out there haven't heard, the mediterranean diet is held up as the ideal diet for those with heart problems, diabetic, cancer, etc because of the various oils & spices used in the cooking.

I've only included the summary but you can read the full artical at:

http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2010/jan2010_The-Secret-Behind-The-Mediterranean-Diet_01.htm



Summary

Extra virgin olive oil is unique among plant-derived oils in that it provides both heart-healthy monounsaturated/polyunsaturated fats and a significant amount of bioactive antioxidant, anti-inflammatory polyphenols. Described as “the most genuine component of the Mediterranean diet,”42 olive oil is now emerging as a critical component of a healthy diet. Research has demonstrated or suggested that olive oil polyphenols play an important role in protecting humans from heart disease, cancer, and age-related bone loss. These effects are due in part to synergistic activity among various natural polyphenols,16 which reduce inflammation and decrease oxidative stress, among other beneficial activities.

Research also indicates that the combination of omega-3 fatty acids with olive oil polyphenols offers enhanced benefits, beyond those provided by either nutrient alone.

 

[diversifyx2]

Me live to eat not eat to live.

Mediterranean diet is a no no to me

 

[Glaringly]

Don't read too much into all this, omega.. stuff. Certainly my Ah Kong and Ah Mah who live to a healthy ripe age knows nothing about it.

A healthy diet is one that base on moderation and nothing else. That is, a good mix of meat, veg. starch, oil and spices in moderate proportion. And of course regular exercise.

On the other hand, for an unhealthy diet, just look at the Malay Muslim, I can't think of a dish that is healthy? Almost all their dishes are base on heavily laden gravy and deep fried, that is rich in sugar, chili oil, coconut milk etc... It's not surprising they constitute the highest proportion of heart disease and diabetic patient.

 

[johnny333]

Me live to eat not eat to live.

Mediterranean diet is a no no to me

I think you 're missing the essence of the article.
Maybe you are put off by the word "diet"


The healthy aspect is the types of food they eat & how they prepare the food. They consume fruits, grains, fish, olive oil, using different herbs, ... without frying.

Same thing with Japanese foods, the traditional foods are quite healthy. However with the importation of MacD, the cases of heart problems is increasing.

 

[scroobal]

One area that I particularly find interesting is what people consume and how long they live. I found that those who end up early in the grave are those that are selective either fuzzy or crazy about certain food. I know a lady who died in her early 50s and she ate only fish as meat for the last 20 years for health reasons. Then you have the usual kway chap addict, prawn addict etc who naturally go early.

The ones who seem to last longest are those that eat anything and everything but still maintain their weight. Spent NY's eve with a group and this chap's mum is 91 years old, eats everything and washes it down with a coke or any available fizzy soft drink.

Somehow the variety helps keep the balance going. There are no defiencies as practically all the needed minerals and vitamins are found in the wide range of food consumed. I reckon not so for those who have a restricted diet no matter how healthy they think it is.

I certainly did not see Vegans die any later as well.

The mediterranean diet is very rich in alcohol, seafood and legumes etc. If you want to follow a particular cuisine, best to do everything in the cuisine. Don't just pick one or two. Look at the Norwegian cuisine, its a nightmare full of animal fat and oil but they live long.

One thing you can take out from all the cuisines from around the world. Take out salted or preserved stuff. It was meant for a time when refrigerators were not available.
-

 

[johnny333]

You're Ah Kong & Ah Mah ate organically grown food. Nowadays who can afford that luxury? It's no secret that the foods of today don't have the same nutrient yield as in the past.

Nowadays there also more chemicals & pollutant in our environment. You can't avoid them: hormones in the chicken, toxins from teflon cookware, airtight buildings with all those chemicals from carpets, paints, car exhaust, plastics, ...

In my school days, my classmates were all healthy. The only problem that I know off was 1 person who had color blindness, a hereditary problem. Nowadays you have alot of children affected by obesity, allergies, ... You can see young people with white hair & premature balding.

What worked in the past does not mean it will work in the present :(

Don't read too much into all this, omega.. stuff. Certainly my Ah Kong and Ah Mah who live to a healthy ripe age knows nothing about it.

A healthy diet is one that base on moderation and nothing else. That is, a good mix of meat, veg. starch, oil and spices in moderate proportion. And of course regular exercise.

On the other hand, for an unhealthy diet, just look at the Malay Muslim, I can't think of a dish that is healthy? Almost all their dishes are base on heavily laden gravy and deep fried, that is rich in sugar, chili oil, coconut milk etc... It's not surprising they constitute the highest proportion of heart disease and diabetic patient.

 

[johnny333]

One area that I particularly find interesting is what people consume and how long they live. I found that those who end up early in the grave are those that are selective either fuzzy or crazy about certain food....

I'm more concern with the quality of life.

No point living until you're 90's but have to suffer with all sorts of ailments.

 

[scroobal]

Why did you assume, people like to live past 90 with illness and ailments? Obviously quality of life. Who wants to live even past 25 years if the body is racked with illness.

When someone tells you that a Toyota is cheaper than a Merc, I hope you understand that it does come with 4 wheels including tyres and fit to be driven.

I'm more concern with the quality of life.

No point living until you're 90's but have to suffer with all sorts of ailments.

 

[johnny333]

Some people like LKY even want to come back from the grave

Many people are afraid to die because they don't know what's out there

Why did you assume, people like to live past 90 with illness and ailments? Obviously quality of life. Who wants to live even past 25 years if the body is racked with illness.

....

 

[jw5]

Some people like LKY even want to come back from the grave

Many people are afraid to die because they don't know what's out there

But when we are living, we don't know what the next day brings either, right?

 

[Screwball]

Many people are afraid to die because they don't know what's out there

Not true. Many of us here in IMH wanting to "surrender" our life passport...... but the man "upstairs" donch wanna be taking us.

 

[Jah_rastafar_I]

Does anyone here have any mediterrian dish to reccommend?



My mum's cousin whom i have not met for a very long time i heard she married a greek man and they have some sort of greek restaurant.

I remember eating some sort of dish that's pink in color.

Other than ulu restaurants here is there any other way to eat these types of food?

 

[Jah_rastafar_I]

One area that I particularly find interesting is what people consume and how long they live. I found that those who end up early in the grave are those that are selective either fuzzy or crazy about certain food. I know a lady who died in her early 50s and she ate only fish as meat for the last 20 years for health reasons. Then you have the usual kway chap addict, prawn addict etc who naturally go early.

The ones who seem to last longest are those that eat anything and everything but still maintain their weight. Spent NY's eve with a group and this chap's mum is 91 years old, eats everything and washes it down with a coke or any available fizzy soft drink.

Somehow the variety helps keep the balance going. There are no defiencies as practically all the needed minerals and vitamins are found in the wide range of food consumed. I reckon not so for those who have a restricted diet no matter how healthy they think it is.

I certainly did not see Vegans die any later as well.

The mediterranean diet is very rich in alcohol, seafood and legumes etc. If you want to follow a particular cuisine, best to do everything in the cuisine. Don't just pick one or two. Look at the Norwegian cuisine, its a nightmare full of animal fat and oil but they live long.

One thing you can take out from all the cuisines from around the world. Take out salted or preserved stuff. It was meant for a time when refrigerators were not available.
-

was she shocked that she could get sick and die despite being so health conscious?

 

[johnny333]

But when we are living, we don't know what the next day brings either, right?

We are all caught up in the rat race in Spore lah. Doing & going to the same places to eat, shop, window shop,...

Many of us feel that we are in a rut :( Same old routine day in, day out. Yes there might be some variation on some details, but the routine is the same.

Death is different. We can only speculate about it & for some it is the fear of the unknown

 

[tonychat]

I certainly did not see Vegans die any later as well.

That is a total flaw. Scientists has done research and found out that vegans on the average live more years than those worthless meat eating losers.

 

[scroobal]

Could you point out where it shows that vegans live longer. Both Australians and Japanese have one of the highest rate of longetivity in the world but they are not to be known to be as vegans. Many Indians are pure vegans - no meat, egg, fish etc.

That is a total flaw. Scientists has done research and found out that vegans on the average live more years than those worthless meat eating losers.

 

[tonychat]

You can google it yourself.

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/07/vegetarians-live-longer.php

 

[johnny333]

Other than ulu restaurants here is there any other way to eat these types of food?

It's going to be difficult in Spore unless you have time & $$$,

Many in Spore are prime candidates for health problems because they rely on hawker food. Believe or not some homes in Spore don't even have kitchens An interior decorator told me that in some Spore homes the kitchen have been left out.

To eat properly you have to buy the proper ingredients: cold press oils, fruits, veggies, herbs, fresh fish,... The best foods are home cooked because you can monitor & control what goes in & how its prepared

 

[scroobal]

I knew you had no clue.

You can google it yourself.

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/07/vegetarians-live-longer.php

 

[lovesamleong]

In case people out there haven't heard, the mediterranean diet is held up as the ideal diet for those with heart problems, diabetic, cancer, etc because of the various oils & spices used in the cooking.

Good post, Johnny. If people don't believe mediterranean diet is the healthiest, that's their business. If you see any place serving greek food, go for it

Enjoy some greek food photos: