[eBook Code] Mediterranean Diet In a Day For Dummies (eBook Code, 1st)

Introduction  1

What You Can Do In A Day  1

Foolish Assumptions  2

Icons Used in This Book  2

Chapter 1: Journey to Club Med: What’s This Diet All About?  3

Identifying the Flavors of the Mediterranean Coast  4

Discovering Where the Food Comes From  5

Focusing on farming  6

Eating seasonally  6

Fishing the Mediterranean Sea  7

Eating and Living the Mediterranean Way  7

Focusing on healthy fats  9

Using dairy in moderation  9

Eating primarily plant-based foods  9

Punching up the flavor with fresh herbs and spices 10

Enjoying seafood weekly  10

Limiting red meat  10

Having a nice glass of vino  11

Getting a good dose of daily activity  11

Taking time for the day’s biggest meal  11

Enjoying time with friends and family  12

Chapter 2: Savoring the Health Benefits of Eating Mediterranean 13

Highlighting the Main Nutrients of the Mediterranean Diet 14

Fighting free radicals with antioxidants  14

Eating colorfully to get phytochemicals  15

Vitamin D: Getting a little of the sunshine vitamin  16

Choosing healthy fats  18

Boosting your fiber intake  19

Pouring a Glass of Red Wine  20

Looking at the Mediterranean Diet’s Effect on Heart Disease  20

Fighting Cancer  21

Battling Diabetes  22

Aging Gracefully: Anti-Aging Tips from the Mediterranean 23

Chapter 3: Starting with Small Changes to Make a Big Impact 25

Grasping the Importance of Meal Planning 25

Changing the Way You Fill Your Plate  28

Focusing on plant-based foods  28

Making good use of healthy fats  30

Finding the right balance with protein  31

Looking at a Mediterranean meal makeover  32

Chapter 4: Shopping and Stocking Your Kitchen 33

Sampling Some Meal Options  33

Knowing Where to Shop  36

Shopping local, no matter where you live  36

Taking advantage of local farmers’ markets  37

Getting involved with your local CSA  38

Discovering hidden food spots  38

Finding the Right Products  39

Buying produce  39

Seeking the perfect seafood  40

Purchasing beef, pork, and poultry  41

Checking out the dairy case (in moderation)  42

Exploring grains  42

Getting your caffeine fix  43

Purchasing Plenty of Mediterranean Staples 43

Loading up your pantry  43

Buying and storing nuts  44

Filling your refrigerator  45

Freezing for the future  45

Filling your countertop  46

Chapter 5: Creating Healthier, Flavorful Meals 47

Setting Yourself Up for Success  47

Scheduling time for cooking  48

Finding ways to create quick and easy meals  49

Making good use of batch cooking  50

Cooking with Oils  51

Understanding smoke points  51

Distinguishing among types of olive oils  52

Identifying the best oils for different dishes  53

Storing oils  54

Knowing how much to use  54

A Pinch of This and a Pinch of That: Using Herbs and Spices  55

Looking at the health benefits of herbs and spices  55

Storing fresh and dried herbs  56

Livening up food with herbs and spices  57

Including Whole Grains  58

Getting a handle on cooking times  58

Adding flavor to grains  59

Relying on Beans and Lentils  60

Preparing canned and dried beans and lentils  61

Finding cooking times for dried legumes  63

Cooking Meats for Better Health  63

Chapter 6: Where to Go from Here  65

Taking Your First Steps  65

Visiting dummiescom  66