What is the Mediterranean diet & the role of olive oil in a healthy life? Read the benefits & why you should take Halkidiki olives when you visit north Greece.
Mediterranean Diet: Benefits & the Role of Olives
It’s highly unlikely that your doctor ever prescribed olive oil, nuts, fish, red wine, and fresh fruit until now but it won’t be long before this day comes. These are the superfoods of a typical Mediterranean menu and the way to a healthier life. If you travel to northern Greece, try out the Halkidiki olives. After all, olives are used to make olive oil, which is one of the must-daily-consume products according to the Mediterranean diet pyramid.
Halkidiki olive varieties
The most popular variety of Halkidiki olives is the green oval-shaped ones distinguished for their large size. The unique properties of the soil in Halkidiki make the green olives a bit spicy and bitter. While green olives are harvested at their young age and cured in salted brine or oil, the black Halkidiki olives are harvested at their adult age. If you spend your holidays at Hotel Kriopigi, Kassandra, Halkidiki, don’t leave without a jar of olives or olive oil for that matter.
The benefits of the Mediterranean diet
What makes the Mediterranean diet healthy is the combination of the monounsaturated fats of olive oil, the right proportion of red meat and wine, and the abundance in fresh fruit, vegetables, and nuts. The benefits are not narrowed down to one thing. By sticking to the Mediterranean plan, you battle heart diseases, memory loss, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, depression, diabetes, and even cancer.
By adding extra virgin olive oil to your salad, you don’t only enhance the flavor but the potential for a healthier life. Alternatively, you can eat several Halkidiki olives a day either with your salad or filled with cheese, peppers or almonds. The secret to a long and healthy life is to adopt the Mediterranean eating pattern. Make it a lifestyle!