Easy access to fast food and "junk food" have contributed to the higher obesity rates across the Mediterranean region. So says an article from today's New York Times.
Countries like Greece, Spain, Portugal, France, and Italy are now seeing an increase childhood obesity and it is linked to food preferences outside of the famed Mediterranean diet.
Many studies have shown the traditional Mediterranean diet as one of the best diet for humans. High in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and poly- and monounsaturated, and limited on refined sugars and animal protein, the diet has been known to reduce the likelihood of developing chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
However, this diet is now in jeopardy in its birthplace as many of the younger generation have fallen into new and possibly destructive dietary patterns.
Lemon Couscous recipe, on the jump ...
- 2 (5.4-ounce) packages toasted pinenut couscous mix
- 2 cups fat-free reduced-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon grated lemon rind
- 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons butter or margarine
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1/3 cup diced red bell pepper
Remove seasoning packet from couscous package.
Combine broth, next 3 ingredients, and seasoning packet in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Stir in couscous; cover, remove from heat, and let stand 10 minutes. Stir in parsley and bell pepper.
Note: For testing purposes only, we used Near East Toasted Pine Nut Couscous Mix.
Yield: 6 cups
CALORIES 224 (15% from fat); FAT 3.8g (sat 1.3g,mono 0.0g,poly 0.0g); IRON 0.7mg; CHOLESTEROL 4mg; CALCIUM 5mg; CARBOHYDRATE 42g; SODIUM 674mg; PROTEIN 8.2g; FIBER 2.3g
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Related posts:
- MyRecipes.com: Videos on Mediterranean cooking
- Cookbook: Williams-Sonoma Foods of the World: Barcelona
