It can be difficult to determine the best way to eat these days. There are so many fad diets out there, in addition to the, “tried and true” versions you have probably heard about through the years. One mainstay that has continued to be popular is the Mediterranean Diet. Now, there is a twist on that eating approach. According to MSN, the Atlantic diet offers several potential health benefits:
The Atlantic diet consists of foods traditionally eaten in northwest Spain and Portugal. It recommends three to four servings a week of both seafood and lean meat, a variety of seasonal vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans and olive oil.
One of the main differences between the Atlantic diet and the Mediterranean diet is that the Atlantic version incorporates more brassicas, which is a family of vegetables that includes turnip greens, turnips, kale, cabbage and cauliflower, said Mar Calvo-Malvar, an attending specialist in laboratory medicine at the University Clinical Hospital of Santiago de Compostela in Spain and a principal investigator of the Galiat Study, a clinical trial focused on the Atlantic diet.
The diet also typically incorporates more seafood, dairy and lean cuts of meat, Calvo-Malvar said. Another key difference can be found in the carbs. While the Mediterranean diet typically allows for more pasta, the Atlantic diet includes other starches, such as chestnuts, potatoes and bread. …
Both diets stress the importance of eating fresh fruit, vegetables, fish or other seafood, and the use of olive oil, as well as moderate amounts of wine.
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What experts stress is that rather than getting hung up on a specific diet and its restrictions, being flexible and finding a healthy way of eating you can stick to is most important. People want an eating plan that is easy to follow, doesn’t have too many rules, and just makes common sense. It also needs to fit into your budget. Talking to your doctor or a nutritionist can be helpful. It is also important to remember there are other factors that impact your health and longevity, not just what you eat.
If you like the Mediterranean diet but have been looking for more variety in your meals, the Atlantic diet may be worth a try.