The Leader • Saturday, June 16, 2018 • Page 1B
The Mediterranean diet is good in more ways than one Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com If you already are a fan of grape leaves and spinach and feta pie, then you probably don’t need the upsell, but just in case you haven’t eaten Mediterranean lately, it’s time to jump on the bandwagon. According to a 2015 study from the National Restaurant Association, the strongest growth in ethnic cuisines over the last 15 years has been among non-traditional cuisines. “While the ‘big three’ – Italian, Mexican and Chinese – have retained their popularity over time, some lesser known cuisines have gained significant ground with consumers over the past decade and a half,� said Annika Stensson, director of research communications for the National Restaurant Association. “Mediterranean food is the big winner both when it comes to one-time trial and for eating frequently.� And not only is the food delicious, but it’s good for you too. Brittany Link, a registered dietitian and certified wellness coach with Advice for Eating - Nutrition and Wellness Consulting, said that the Mediterranean diet emphasizes seafood as a protein source which is a great way to get a healthy dose of Omega 3 fatty acids. She notes that Omega 3’s are indicated in lowering both inflammation and overall cholesterol. “These high quality proteins and fats also help to keep you satiated, which will help with overall weight loss as well,� said Link. The health benefits only continue. “Fresh fruits and vegetables are at the heart of the Mediterranean diet – not only are these a great source of antioxidants that help to fight disease and lower inflammation, they are also a great way to increase fiber intake which can help lower cholesterol and keep you feeling full longer – aiding in weight loss,� said Link. “Because a fiber rich diet helps to slow the digestive processes, it also ensures that blood sugars stay more stable rather than dipping too low or spiking too high throughout the day.� Link also notes that the use of olive oil is emphasized in the Mediterranean diet. She said that olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fats, specifically one called oleic acid which is known to be heart healthy. And that diets rich in monounsaturated fats have been found to help reduce total cholesterol by lowering LDL (the bad cholesterol), raising HDL (the good cholesterol) and lower-
By Zarah Parker zarah@theleadernews.com If you’re craving cuisine that is half a world away, Houston is the perfect place to live. Just about every type of food can be found down one road or another in this city, especially in the diverse streets of the Heights. But what makes food different, or surprisingly similar, culture to culture? As far as cooking technique go, there are minor differences. “Vary the ingredients and spices, you can pretty much cook anything,� said Celeste Terrell, owner of Well Done Cooking Classes off Airline Drive. The use of certain spices tends to depend on the climate of the area. For example, Terrell said that the hotter the climate the more likely that culture uses spicier ingredients. This is to take advantage of the natural cooling system in the body. When you eat spicy food, you sweat more, which is cooling on a hot day. But some spices will be found to be used just about in every type of cuisine. “After salt and pepper, coriander and cumin are going to be found in more cuisines than not,� Terrell said. Ingredients that some cultures gravitate toward more than others has a lot to do with climate and terrain. “[Americans] only consume about 2 percent of lamb, the rest of the world eats a lot,� Terrell said. This is because our terrain allows us to raise more cattle, letting us go straight to the big guys for a food source.
Contributed photo The emphasis of the Mediterranean diet on vegetables is good for the waistline, and the heart.
ing triglycerides. Olive oil is also rich in polyphenols – antioxidants that can help reduce inflammation in the body and fight free radical damage. “Overall the Mediterranean diets emphasizes eating fresh, whole foods – by increasing these you will naturally be reducing the amount of processed and sugary foods that tend to be staples in the standard American diet these days,� concludes Link. Lucky for those of us on the Northside, Aladdin Mediterranean is soon to open at 34th and Ella in Revive’s Ella Oaks complex. Their closest location currently is in Montrose. Ali Nahhas, who started in the food business over 20 years ago, told The Leader he is really looking forward to being part of the Oak Forest, Garden Oaks, and Heights communities. And those communities are eagerly waiting for some heart healthy Mediterranean as soon as he opens his doors.
Contributed photo Hughies on 18th Street offers Pho and a wide selection of Vietnamese cuisine.
Americans take good food and try to make it better, and it’s been most successful with the cheeseburger. The other most popular food in America is the classic chocolate chip cookie. Mexico is known for their mole: ancient sauce made of chili peppers, spices, chocolate, and more, as well as their tamales, which are an ancient Mayan food traditionally of masa cooked in a leaf wrapping. Popular in Thailand is the the massaman curry, a Thai curry with Islamic roots. In Greece it’s the traditional gyro. In India dosa, a pancake filled with cheese or spicy vegetables is a common lunch or dinner choice. In France the escargot, in China the sweet and sour pork, and in Italy ragu alla bolohnese are all goto choices. In America there’s a little bit of everything and sometimes foreign cuisines mix it up with Americanized flavors. Terrell mentioned the Vietnamese phenomenon happening in Houston right now. Pho shops are popping up left and right and some are offering pho with a Cajun flavor: crawfish pho. Terrell also talked about changes made in cuisine when a culture migrated to America, such as the French cooking base of onion, carrots, and celery. When the French landed in Louisiana they found that carrots were difficult to harvest there, so they switched the carrots with bell peppers. Now, it’s more of a Cajun base. Luckily, Houston has a melting pot of cuisine that grant us the ability to have a wider palate. Yet, what are America’s tastiest offerings? According to CNN, America’s must haves are buttered popcorn, ketchup, and donuts. Saunter up to any barbecue pit to challenge that list.
Contributed photo Aladdin Mediterranean is soon to open at 34th and Ella.
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Here are some ingredients that are most common by cuisine: Americans, no surprise by anyone living in Texas, most commonly use butter. The Greeks, Italians, and Moroccans grab most often for the olive oil, while South Americans use garlic. By animal ingredients in recipes the Irish use the most bacon, Vietnamese use the most beef, Thai the most chicken, Southern/soul food the most
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