Greek food is one of the most popular cuisines in America, but did you know that there are some powerful ingredients in Greek food that can help you lose weight?
If you’re looking for a way to kickstart your weight loss this year, adding more Greek foods and ingredients to your diet may be just what you need.
- Olive Oil: Olive oil is one of the most commonly used oils in Greek cooking, and it’s also been shown to have numerous health benefits. It can help reduce inflammation, protect against heart disease and cancer, improve bone health, and even aid in weight loss.
- Legumes: You’ll find legumes like chickpeas, lentils, kidney beans and black beans in many dishes in Greece. The high fiber content helps fill you up while keeping blood sugar levels stable — making these foods great options if you’re looking to lose weight or prevent diabetes.
- Honey: Like beeswax and propolis, honey is produced by bees using nectar from flowers and other plants as the raw material for creating wax and propolis. It has antibacterial properties and can be used as an antiseptic salve, a cough suppressant and an expectorant to clear mucus from the lungs during an infection or illness.
- Fish: Wild-caught fish has more omega-3s than farmed fish because the latter are fed cornmeal and soybean oil instead of their natural diet of algae. Omega-3s help prevent blood clots that can lead to heart attacks and strokes as well as lower your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease or depression later on in life. Fish also contains selenium, an antioxidant mineral that helps protect cells from damage caused by free radicals — particularly helpful if you live in an area where there’s high pollution or you’re exposed to second-hand smoke regularly.
- Garlic: Garlic is another great source of monounsaturated fats as well as vitamins A, B6, C and K. Studies have shown that garlic may help lower blood pressure and improve cardiovascular health by lowering cholesterol levels and reducing blood clotting tendencies. It also has antibacterial properties that help fight off infections like colds or flu, making it a great addition to your diet if you’re feeling under the weather!
