While there are many different diets that are healthy, this is one that has the most evidence that it can lower the risk of chronic disease for entire populations. Thousands of research studies on this eating pattern show that if you want to reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, overweight, obesity, diabetes, certain cancers, Metabolic Syndrome, asthma, Alzheimer’s disease, depression, and many age-related conditions, as well as improve fertility, pregnancy outcomes, and long-term vitality you should follow a Mediterranean style of eating and living. One reason why so many people improve their health by embracing the Mediterranean lifestyle is that it is simple and easy to adhere to; the eating plan is flexible and varied, the food tastes good, and eating enjoyment is one of the key principles. Flexibility, ease, and pleasure are crucial for your long-term success!

When it comes to heart health, the Mediterranean Diet and Lifestyle can’t be beaten! This plant-forward eating pattern emphasizes foods in their most natural form, which means foods that are minimally processed and naturally low in sodium, and lots of fresh produce—one of Gelson’s specialties. It also emphasizes eating two meatless meals a day (hello beans, lentils, and nuts!), using extra virgin first cold press olive oil as your primary fat, and choosing whole grains over refined and processed grains. Physical activity, enjoying meals with friends, having a strong social network, and not smoking can also help support your healthy heart and brain.

Eating to control blood sugar is an important strategy for everyone, especially if you have diabetes or pre-diabetes. Choosing the best minimally processed foods and creating balanced meals and snacks is a recipe for better blood sugar control, long-term health, and disease prevention. Finding the right types and balance of carbohydrates, protein, and fat can help you feel better, as well as enhance mood, energy, satiety, and meal enjoyment. It can feel overwhelming if you’re just getting started with this approach, but don’t stress! Our dietitian is available to help you make the upgrades you need to get your blood sugar into a healthier range.

Emphasizing plants is always a good thing. At Gelson’s we believe that healthy eating is flexible eating. We’re here to support you all along the continuum of plant-based eating from flexitarian (flexible vegetarian), to pescatarian, to lacto-ovo-vegetarian, to vegan. We’re partial to flexitarian since it emphasizes an overall healthy eating pattern of mostly plants but doesn’t exclude anything (because once in a while you may crave a juicy hamburger or you might want to have some turkey on Thanksgiving). The Mediterranean Diet is a plant-based flexitarian eating pattern, but it can be modified to exclude any animal foods you seek to avoid.

We love supporting our customers through their health journeys! Since what we eat affects our health, improving our food choices is a worthy endeavor. Even if you don’t have any health concerns, we can help you maintain your good health. If you’re feeling ready and motivated to make some product upgrades, healthify your cooking, or just get some fresh and creative meal ideas, we’re here for you. Our registered dietitian is passionate about helping our customers be healthier by having a good relationship with food and eating, incorporating structure, feeding their families, and preparing enjoyable meals and snacks. The goal is to help you stay healthy and prevent diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.

We understand that some people’s healthy diets need to exclude certain ingredients, such as gluten, dairy, wheat, nuts, shellfish, and other foods due to allergies, sensitivities, or certain medical conditions. We have many helpful shelf tags that can help guide you to these types of products, as well as a dietitian who can make personalized recommendations based on your unique needs.