Embrace The Mediterranean Diet For Thanksgiving – Focus on Right Foods Not Restriction To Reduce Risk Of Disease Says Expert
Updated 25th October 2021
Thanksgiving is not traditionally associated with restriction! But, according to a nutritional expert, eating the right foods – in particular The Mediterranean Diet – is healthier than restricting your food intake.
As our readers in the USA prepare for Thanksgiving celebrations, we wanted to share some reassuring wisdom from British journalist, doctor and author of various diet books Dr Michael Mosely, as reported in express.co.uk.
When you think of planning your Thanksgiving feast, you may not immediately be drawn to images of a Mediterranean Diet – which includes plenty of fruit, vegetables, fish and health unsaturated fats such as extra virgin olive oil.
But, according to Dr Mosely, opting for the nutrient rich Mediterranean Diet when planning your family’s feast is a great way to maintain a healthy weight.
In terms of the foods that it’s best to eat, Dr Mosely explained that: “Ultimately, it comes down to balance of protein, fibre and healthy fats, which is essentially the Mediterranean Diet.”
Mosely was also keen to emphasize that, in a world where fasting and food restriction is growing in popularity, the most important contributing factor for weight loss is choosing the right foods, irrespective of whether you’re going down the ‘fasting’ route or not.
So this means that we can look forward to a Thanksgiving feast fit for a king without guilt, yes? Well, almost!
“The good news is, whether you incorporate intermittent fasting or not, a low carb Mediterranean Diet has unique power not just to restore your body’s ability to reach its ideal weight and stay there, but also to cut your risk of serious disease.
It doesn’t come from a place of restriction but rather it’s about eating more of the right foods. Not only will these foods keep you feeling full, they offer important nutrients and health benefits, and taste delicious.”
Dr Mosely
Roast Thanksgiving Turkey With Extra Virgin Olive Oil
If you’re tempted to bring a bit of the Mediterranean to your Thanksgiving table this year, here are some ideas to get you started – beginning with the roast turkey itself!
Since the major highlight of this highly-awaited holiday is of course the hearty, traditional, coma-inducing Thanksgiving feast, it’s also that time of the year when you don’t need a pass to indulge in a hearty meal, limit your carbohydrate intake, or mind your portion sizes. But you can definitely replace the saturated fats with a healthier fat and simultaneously elevate the flavor of your meal, while you’re at it!
And what better way to do it than to roast the Thanksgiving turkey with olive oil, or better Morocco Gold extra virgin olive oil?
Interesting Ways to Include Olive Oil in your Traditional Thanksgiving Feast
Roast turkey with olive oil is a good choice but it’s truly a healthy fat that can also spruce up your other Thanksgiving dishes and even regular ones throughout the year. If you’ve ever spent Thanksgiving in Morocco, you must have no doubt seen for yourself how olive oil lifts the flavor of many local dishes.
Even if you haven’t, try including this nutrient-rich dietary fat in salads, mashed potatoes, dips, other sides and accompaniments, and desserts. But remember everything should be used in moderation, even extra virgin olive oil, as it’s calorific.
For those of us who’ve deliberated over how to include olive oil in our cooking, we know that creativity truly knows no bounds as this versatile fat can complement traditional and modern dishes alike. What’s more, your family and friends won’t even notice the change as it’s a subtle yet flavorful oil. Apart from roast turkey with olive oil, here are some other interesting ideas:
- Mashed Potatoes – Try substituting the butter in mashed potatoes with a mix of olive oil and herbs instead.
- Pies & Cakes – Even traditional desserts like pies and cakes can be made with extra virgin olive oil as it imparts a rich flavor, as opposed to the bland salty note that butter imparts.
- Salads & Dips – Liven up your salads with a delicious mix of olive oil and balsamic vinaigrette or blend it with garlic, herbs, and a dash of lemon juice. Similarly, add a few drops of extra virgin olive oil to your dips to enhance taste.
- Sautéed Vegetables – Brighten up your seasonal vegetables with extra virgin olive oil as it truly augments their inherent flavor that other fats like butter or margarine typically suppress.
Are you ready to infuse flavorful healthfulness into your dishes this season? Buy Morocco Gold today to help celebrate this special holiday!
