How Olive Oil In The Atlantic Diet Boosts Wellbeing

Healthy Living Using Olive Oil

EVOO Fuelled Southern European Atlantic Diet Boosts Mental And Physical Wellbeing

Atlantic Diet Boosts Wellbeing
Atlantic Diet Boosts Wellbeing

If you care about improving your own wellbeing, there’s a high chance you will have heard about the benefits of the best olive oil and The Mediterranean Diet.  But a close neighbour, both nutritionally and geographically,  – the Southern European Atlantic Diet – is a great choice for lovers of extra virgin olive oil.

A fascinating new review from Advances in Nutrition claims that the Southern European Atlantic Diet can seriously boost your longevity, physical and mental health. 

What Is The Southern European Atlantic Diet?

The Southern European Atlantic Diet emulates the nutritional habits and lifestyle choices adopted by people who inhabit northern Portugal and North-western Spain. It is defined both by the food choices and the way in which they are prepared.

Examples of key foods in the Southern Atlantic Diet, as listed in mindbodygreen.com are:

  • Daily consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, extra virgin olive oil, and dairy products
  • Weekly consumption of seafood (especially cod and other fish), eggs, dried fruits, legumes, and lean meats (e.g., beef, pork, and poultry)
  • Occasional consumption of fatty meats and sweets

How The Mediterranean Diet Compares With The Atlantic Diet

How Mediterranean Diet Compares With The Atlantic Diet

Comparisons of the food pyramids of both The Mediterranean Diet and the Atlantic diet reveal similarities in the prioritization of plant-based meals with occasional inclusion of fresh fish, lean meats, eggs and dairy.

It is when we take a closer look at the lifestyle habits of the people living in this region that we get an understanding of the contribution to living long, happy and healthy lives.  These lifestyle choices include:

  • Choosing plant-centric foods which, like extra virgin olive oil, are full of phytonutrients and antioxidants to contribute to healthy ageing.
  • Keeping your body well always hydrated – which boosts your detox powers and help flush out toxins.
  • Incorporating movement and physical activity to your daily routine.
  • Psychological well-being – whether it’s meeting friends and family often or enjoying the pleasure of good food, this is a great way to add years to your life – the European Atlantic way!

Olive Oil As Part Of The Mediterranean And Atlantic Diets

Keeping a bottle of the best olive oil in your store cupboard all year round is a great way to stay on track with either The Southern European Atlantic or The Mediterranean Diet.

Extra virgin olive oil is an integral part of the Mediterranean diet. A healthy diet that is associated with sensible tasty portions and slower, more enjoyable eating. People who eat a Mediterranean diet have been shown to have a remarkable variety of health benefits. The extra virgin olive oil in the Mediterranean diet can quickly satisfy hunger. It can lead to fewer total calories ingested at mealtime.

But, whichever diet you choose to follow, the key thing is to stick with it until it becomes an integral part of your lifestyle. This is especially important as we lead ourselves gently out of a global health pandemic.

Markos Klonizakis, a clinical physiologist at Sheffield Hallam University, in England, said one of the benefits of the Mediterranean diet is that there are many variations, making it adaptable across cultures. In addition, Klonizakis argues that the eating preferences of people can be shaped by many factors and the current pandemic may be one of them.

“Unhealthy food is easier to prepare. Maybe the coronavirus pandemic is a chance for us to start eating better,” he said. “Of course, eating patterns are also a matter of trend, for example, the vegan regime has many adherents even though its benefits are not widely established, but nutritional tradition usually endures through time.”

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