A running joke among the Oldways staff is that I have become a “professional bridesmaid,” and with this honor come many celebrations and parties. Because the Mediterranean Diet has had such an impact on my life [1], when I take the reins as the planner for these types of parties, I am able to incorporate a healthy twist.
But many times, when I am not at the party planning helm, it is a challenge to maintain a healthy lifestyle throughout all the celebrations. Thankfully, the Mediterranean Diet [2] is a complete lifestyle and not a fad diet and is here to guide me. Following a Mediterranean lifestyle has taught me about moderation and the healthy, wholesome foods that I can eat and enjoy all the time and, the great news is that it also includes sweets and treats at the top of the pyramid, to be enjoyed (albeit less often) with friends and family.
With all the showers, bachelorettes, weddings (and now even baby showers!) I have to navigate, it is important to have a plan. Here are a few tips I use to enjoy all these events while avoiding overindulging:
With all this being said, it is important to remember that the Mediterranean Diet is a lifestyle that stresses the importance of enjoying food and wine with family and friends. Life is too short to restrict yourself completely, but make sure you are mindful of your intake if you are a perpetual party-goer like me!
-Abby
Links
[1] https://oldwayspt.org/community/blog/mediterranean-diet-personal-journey
[2] https://oldwayspt.org/resources/heritage-pyramids/get-started-go-med
[3] http://wholegrainscouncil.org/recipes/salads-and-sides
[4] https://oldwayspt.org/resources/good-food/seafood
[5] https://oldwayspt.org/recipes/african-heritage-mango-papaya-after-chop
[6] https://oldwayspt.org/resources/good-food/wine
[7] https://oldwayspt.org/community/blog/infuse-hydration-and-health