HOT SUMMER DIETS: MEDITERRANEAN DIET
When Tom Wallett got a hankering for food good food, he decided to go exotic.
“For me, its the taste,” said Wallett, a Cleveland resident. “I just love the taste. Its a nutty taste. Not sweet or anything.”
A regular foodie, he went to Lakewood for a taste of the Mediterranean at Aladdin’s Eatery.
The business is one of dozens of local restaurants on the brink of a fitness craze.
According to a recent study by the Mayo Clinic, of 1.5 million healthy adults, the Mediterranean diet improved their heart health, in addition to reducing risk for Parkinsons and Alzheimers diseases.
“Even if it wasn’t healthy, I’d still come here because I love the taste,” Wallett said.
The Mediterranean diet focuses on eating fresh fruits, vegetables and fish; using olive oil instead of butter; and you can even drink wine on occasion.
“There’s lots of vegetarian and vegan options. There’s something for everyone,” said host Jesse Blakely.”
Blakely said Mediterranean food appeals to a wide variety of tastes.
“It’s delicious,” Blakely said. “It’s food that kind of sticks to your ribs. You never leave the table unsatisfied with food like this and you dont realize that it’s healthy.”
When it comes to successful weight loss, University Hospitals dietitian Lisa Cimperman said you must think long-term.
“That’s really the bottom line,” she said. “If it’s something you can stick to and you can do for the rest of your life, you’re going to be successful.”
For the locals, it’s an exotic taste to a better lifestyle.
“It’s a diet that’s flexible and not too restraining and it’s really delicious,” said Lakewood resident Lauren Aquilino. “People can actually eat things that taste good.”
If you’re looking to lose weight, we encourage you to consult your doctor about the best plan to reach your goal.
For more information about the Mediterranean diet, click here.