We have all heard that the Mediterranean diet is one of the healthiest diets. It is one of the world’s regional diets that seems to provide benefits to health and longevity. In this interview with Jolie Root, we will discuss the Mediterranean diet and contrast that to the standard American diet (SAD). One of the key elements of the Mediterranean diet is the use of particular fats in the diets. Olive oil provides the omega-9 fatty acid and fish from the sea and grazing animals provide the critical omega-3. Omega-6 fatty acids from nuts and seeds were consumed in their natural forms as foods and not as refined oils as we have in the U.S.

Jolie and I will introduce a novel oil for your tabletop; Olive Your Heart. This is a blend of olive oil sourced from Crete and tasteless Norwegian fish oil. This is one delicious way to add the important omega fats to your diet. If you use olive oil to dress salads or in dips,  then you can easily get additional omega-3 at the same time. This is a solution for those who don’t like capsules. You get the benefits of the two oils in four different flavors, such as garlic or basil. You’ll find these usually in health food stores and online.

The sad story for the American diet is the huge shift to refined sugars, refined grains, refined grain and seed oils which provide many calories but are largely nutrient deficient. We also consume artificial chemicals as a normal part of our diet. It is no wonder that we have the health issues that overwhelm us. We wonder why we are sick? We turn to pharmaceutical drugs as if they can cure our diseases. The basic truth here is that good health is not possible without good nutrition. Traditional diets provide a wide range of nutrients that come from the foods of the earth. Refined and chemicalized foods do not nourish the body and cannot provide the building blocks of good health.

If a person is unwilling to take responsibility for their food and diet choices then not much can be done. Supplements can help, but supplements are not a replacement for eating quality food, prepared well and served with love. The challenge for many people is making sense of the nutritional information that is available to them. This is especially true when it comes to diets. I have a wonderful resource to recommend to you if you want to learn more about the Mediterranean diet: Oldwayspt.org.

About Jolie Root Jolie is the Senior Nutritionist/Educator at Carlson Laboratories. She began as a natural products retailer who evolved into a career in education in the health sciences. She is a nutritionist and a nurse. She understands both the science and the practical application of good nutrition for health. Jolie hosts a weekly radio show called Food for Thought which is heard in New York, Florida and online.

 

 

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Steve Lankford is the host of HealthQuestPodcast.com. Steve has over 40 years of experience in the natural products industry. His passion is helping others develop nutritional programs that work. At HealthQuestPodcast.com, Steve interviews the experts in the fields of science and nutrition. His in depth explorations and consumer friendly style are designed to help listeners learn about the science of nutrition. His guests are some of the most respected experts in the natural products industry.

To learn more, visit HealthQuestPodcast.com.

For more podcasts, view the Heath Quest Show List

NOTE: The statements presented in this podcast should not be considered medical advice or a way to diagnose or treat any disease or illness. Dietary supplements do not treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always seek the advice of a medical professional before adding a dietary supplement to (or removing one from) your daily regimen. WholeFoods Magazine does not endorse any specific brand or product.