I went shopping yesterday. There wasn't a lot I had to get but I thought I may as well. I have cancelled this week's Slimming World Kitchen subscription because it won't work alongside these changes so I'm still evens as far as finance is concerned and I have a lot more meals for my cash.
One item was walnuts and I'm going to have to be so, so mindful because nuts are one of the things that I could eat a big bagful of in less than half an hour so usually I don't keep them in the house.
Oh, well, maybe it is time I grew up, yes?
Oh, well, maybe it is time I grew up, yes?
What I ate today
The bread is wholemeal so that's my grains. The scrambled egg is my protein and the tomatoes were fried in a tsp olive oil so healthy oil there. Would you call mushrooms a vegetable? I always do but they are fungi, of course. I don't know.
Half a healthy extra A and two syns.
Alex was here and I did a traybake.
Lean chicken thighs, loads of veg and cooked in olive oil. No grains but plenty of fibre in the vegetables. Watermelon for dessert - Alex's favourite.
A bit tricky to work out the syns but I think a fair estimate is four because there's loads left for another day and Alex had a lot more than I did anyway.
No dessert. It made a lot and I am totally full.
One healthy extra A, half a B and I have worked out that the rest comes to about five and a half syns.
Summary:
one healthy extra A
one healthy extra B
eleven and a half syns
My meal plans for tomorrow:
Well, I am out all day tomorrow on a coach trip to the three museums the V&A, the Science Museum and the Natural History Museum.
B: fruit and a few nuts to have just after we arrive (and I will also be desperate for a coffee by then!)
L: baba ganoush (2 syns), some focaccia, sliced into strips to dip in the baba ganoush, tomatoes and an orange
D: leftovers of the chicken traybake from today - I plan to make more so there is some left over.
Exercise: I will miss Groove, of course, but there will be plenty of walking.
The extra bit.
What are the benefits of the Mediterranean diet. (again, notes I took while exploring - I won't call it research as it was far too random). However, I did note that of all the 'diets' around, this one has the benefit of rigorous scientific research over many years to support it.
I find some of these a bit subjective but worth mentioning anyway . . .
1. It reduces the risk of disease:
including cardiovascular disease, heart attacks and strokes because it is low in saturated fat
including cardiovascular disease, heart attacks and strokes because it is low in saturated fat
helps to reduce high blood cholesterol levels (this is my main focus)
can help reduce the risk or things like type 2 diabetes, arthritis, cancer, dementia
reduces levels of inflammation and encourages a healthy gut biome.
can help reduce the risk or things like type 2 diabetes, arthritis, cancer, dementia
reduces levels of inflammation and encourages a healthy gut biome.
2. It improves mental health
has that 'feel good' factor
has that 'feel good' factor
can protect overall brain health
can help protect memory and cognitive abilities
it eliminates ultra processed foods - this has a multitude of benefits but it definitely impacts very much on mental health in a positive way
3. It helps with longevity
4. It can save money - I think that depends but it's a thought and I guess if it is more plant based and less expensive lean meat based, it will in the longer term . . .
5. It is more sustainable because
it focuses on local and seasonal produce
it can reduce carbon footprint
it's much more plant based
it is much easier to eat vegetarian
Again, I think this depends on the individual circumstances but it's good that it does support sustainability.
6. It is easy to stick to because
it has a common sense approach (for sure)
it isn't gimmicky - in fact it is a very, very old way of eating with roots firmly in the distant past
no food groups are eliminated (three cheers)
there are loads of supporting resources - and that's a fact!
At some point I need to compare this way with the Slimming World plan and really take on board what I need to change/adapt. Not tomorrow though.
It's good you've looked into it so much, Joy - I shall need to do that too, when I'm back home, kitchen settled and have more time. xx
ReplyDeleteI really like to get my head round this sort of thing and know where I am with it. I'm not great at winging it, especially at first. For me, it is worth the time and effort. xx
DeleteAwesome blog dear Joy! Lovely food as always! Wishing you well on the next part of your healthy eating journey, with incorporating the Mediterranean way of eating into SW! Hugsxx ❤️ Roe
ReplyDeleteThat's so very kind of you, Roe. Thank you so much. xx
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