Best diet of 2018

Most people’s new year resolutions include losing weight, being healthier and getting into shape.  The question is where to start. The health experts have weighed in on the best diets for 2018 and the Mediterranean diet ranks at the top. The Mediterranean diet focuses on vegetables, fruit, nuts, seeds, legumes, potatoes, whole grains, breads, herbs, spices, fish, seafood and extra virgin olive oil. Foods eaten in moderation include poultry, eggs, cheese and yoghurt. Red meat is eaten very rarely.

 

Here is a typical meal plan for one day on the Mediterranean diet:

 

Breakfast – Oatmeal with fruit and nuts

Ingredients:

½ cup Pouyoukas whole rolled oats cooked in ½ cup skim milk and ½ cup water

½ cup diced fruit

1 tablespoon chopped walnuts

 

Method:

Top oatmeal with apple, walnuts and a pinch of cinnamon.

Snack – 1 fruit
 

Lunch – Green salad with spiced chickpea nuts

Ingredients:

1 big green salad
½ round of feta cheese
5 olives
¼ cup spiced chickpea nuts (recipe below)

Method:

Combine ingredients and top salad with balsamic vinegar and olive oil.

Snack – 6 dried apricots

 

Dinner – Roast salmon with fennel and couscous

Ingredients:

Salmon fillet, coated with ¼ teaspoon olive oil, ¼ teaspoon dried oregano and seasoned with salt and pepper.
1 cup roasted fennel bulb, tossed with olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper.
1 cup cooked Pouyoukas whole wheat couscous topped with 1 tablespoon chopped walnuts.

Snack – 1 fruit

 

Chickpea nuts

Ingredients:

2 cups dried Pouyoukas chickpeas, prepared as per pack instructions

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 teaspoon dried marjoram

¼ teaspoon paprika

¼ teaspoon salt

 

Method:

Preheat oven to 180°C.

Toss chickpeas in a bowl with other ingredients.

Spread on a baking sheet.

Bake, stirring once or twice, until browned and crunchy for 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool on the baking sheet for 15 minutes.