When many of us hear the word “diet” we immediately think of restrictive eating habits to cut out calories and lose weight fast. However the term diet is typically used to refer to the types of food a person regularly eats. The type of diets we are used to seeing in media are mostly fad diets. They are often marketed with astonishing claims such as “lose 10 pounds in a month!” or “get toned abs without exercise”. Yet they fall short of expectations and drop in popularity quite quickly. In reality, one of the best ways to improve your overall health and prevent disease is eating a balanced diet which meets all the body’s nutritional needs. Heart health in particular can be greatly influenced by the food that you consume. According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation your risk of heart disease and stroke can be reduced by eating a healthy diet. This is due to the fact that it can improve cholesterol levels, improve blood pressure, manage body weight and help control blood sugar. Some basic steps to a healthy diet are outlined by Canada’s Food Guide. These include eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and proteins, while avoiding processed foods high in fats, sugars and sodium.
Not all diets are created equally, some are better for health than others. The Mediterranean diet, for example, is one of the most noteworthy diets when it comes to lowering the riskf developing cardiovascular disease and numerous other chronic conditions. This is due to the fact that it limits sodium, sugar, refined carbohydrates, saturated and trans fats. In addition, it promotes the consumption of healthier unsaturated fats (such as omega-3 fatty acids), fiber and antioxidants. All of which contributes to a nutritious, balanced and heart healthy diet! Some of the main components of the Mediterranean diet outlined by Mayo clinic include:
- Plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and extra virgin olive oil
- Primarily choosing fish/seafood, poultry, beans and lentils as your source of protein
- Moderate amounts of dairy (preferably low-fat)
- Little to no red meats, sweets and sugary beverages
The Mediterranean diet will be the theme for Northern Hearts Dine with Doc event on September 20th, 2024 at the Chanterelle (206 Park Ave). Dine with Doc is an entertaining and heart-warming evening of dining and cooking demonstrations by chef, Franco Masdea from the Tomlin Restaurant assisted by local doctors. The event will support Northern Hearts, a local non-profit charity with a mission to reduce heart disease in Northwestern Ontario.
Items on the menu for the night will include Greek salad, grilled salmon or falafel (vegetarian option), and lemon olive oil cake. Recipes for each course will be available to the attendees. Tickets are only available online at https://northernhearts.org/dine-with-doc/ for $140 each or $1000 for a table of 8.more information feel free to contact us by email northernhearts@tbaytel.net.