A to Z Alter Health

Anyone who has ever tried to lose weight will know how difficult it can be to sample cuisines from around the world while staying conscious of those pesky calories and saturated fat levels. All of a sudden, Indian food is a no-go, while your weekly Chinese takeaway becomes a distant dream along with your favourite cheeky pizza delivery on a Saturday night.

However, one cuisine that even the most health-conscious individual can indulge in, at least to some extent, is Greek cuisine. In fact, as with healthy vegetarian recipes , not only can closely following Greek recipes at least a few times per week allow you to shed a few pounds, but it can also radically improve the health of your heart.

The people of Crete have long been known the world over for their healthy hearts and long lives and a major factor in this is the Greek diet. Olive oil is used in the majority of Greek dishes and, when used in moderation, the healthy fats contained in this sort of oil can help to reduce the risk of heart disease. The fact that olive oil tastes great, even if you simply use it as a dip for some fresh ciabatta, is an added bonus!

Greeks also tend to eat a lot of beans and lentils. When combined with fresh vegetables and aromatic herbs and spices, these dishes can make a filling meal alongside freshly grilled meat. There’s no reason not to eat meat if you’re following a diet, but make sure you grill it, rather than fry it, and try marinating your choice of meat rather than pouring over a sauce.

Grilled fish, often served alongside fire roasted baby new potatoes in Greece, also makes for a tasty, healthy meal that is suitable for all the family. It doesn’t matter which type of fish you opt for; just make sure it’s fresh.

Follow these simple Greek-influenced guidelines, and you’ll soon notice the benefits not only for your waistline, but your heart health too.