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KRISSY BRADY |
"It was like coming down from the world’s longest adrenaline rush, and the crash felt glorious."
To say that my eating habits are horrible would make them sound better than they really are. (I wish I was joking.) I’ve never had the best relationship with food. I’ve mastered every shortcut and quick fix out there to quash hunger and spend as little time in the kitchen as possible. Prepackaged foods and snack bars? Yeah, I live on those.
Not surprisingly, my perpetual avoidance of everything cooking is taking its toll: I’m in my early thirties, yet feel like I should invest in a rocking chair and take up knitting. I don’t just need to eat healthier and nix empty calories for the sake of my waistline (which has, well, ballooned)—I need to revamp my entire attitude toward food.
Hence why I decided to take the Mediterranean diet for a spin. Chosen as 2018’s “Best Diet Overall” and “Easiest Diet to Follow” by U.S. News and World Report, this anti-deprivation diet is rich in veggies, fruits, nuts, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy. Red wine is cool in moderation (one glass per day), as are red meat and sweets (twice per month or so). No foods or food groups are off the table—pun totally intended. The diet also promotes the social and mindful aspects of enjoying food, like sitting down to meals (as opposed to hoovering grub in front of the TV like I normally do), which is really cool.
Although weight loss isn’t the primary intent of the Mediterranean diet, it's likely you'll shed pounds, says New York-based registered dietitian Tracy Lockwood Beckerman, R.D. Putting the spotlight on fresh, whole foods alone can lead to weight loss, since you’re no longer relying on packaged foods that are often laden in sugar, sodium, and unhealthy sources of fat, she says. Plus, consuming a variety of plant-based proteinsand complex, whole-grain carbs doesn’t just keep your blood sugar stable, but helps you feel fuller for longer, lowering the odds that you’ll overeat. (Peace out, cravings!)
The weight-loss perks of the Mediterranean diet are also backed by science: A 2016 study published in the journal The Lancet found that participants who went on a Mediterranean diet lost more weight than those on a low-fat one, while a 2015 study published in The American Journal of Medicine found that the Mediterranean diet is just as effective for long-term weight loss as going low carb.
So, after an initial weigh-in, I decided to get my ass into the kitchen and turn things around with the Mediterranean diet. Below, a highlight reel of my excellent adventure:
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