1. Mediterranean Diet
Pepi Granat, M.D.
5/27/2018
Pepi Granat, MD

2. Introduction The Mediterranean diet What is it? Who eats it?
Why should we care?
“Greater adherence to the traditional Mediterranean diet is associated with a significant reduction in total mortality. “
5/27/2018
Pepi Granat, MD

3. Diet = Definition of word
Common misconception of “diet”
I ask: “What is your diet?”
Patient answers: “I’m not on a diet”
So I ask: “What do you eat?”
Note: Everyone has a diet!!!
Your “DIET” is:
WHAT YOU EAT every day
NOT what you do to lose weight or comply with doctor’s instructions
And: “YOU ARE what you eat.”
5/27/2018
Pepi Granat, MD

4. Death & diet Why do people die? Life span could be 120 years!
Sedentary habits
Obesity
Heart disease
Cancer
Drugs: Nicotine & alcohol
Trauma
5/27/2018
Pepi Granat, MD

5. Diet content Specifically & simply: the Mediterranean diet is
Fruits & vegetables
Whole grains
Olive oil
Fish
Evidence: Multiple medical articles, especially NEJM Vol 348:
June 26, 2003 No. 26
It matters to YOU. You can do it.
5/27/2018
Pepi Granat, MD

6. The Mediterranean Diet and Mortality — Olive Oil and Beyond
5/27/2018
Hu FB.NEJM
Vol 348:
    
June 26, 2003
Next   

7. Change: Difficult, not Impossible
Change can be:
Incremental (little by little)
Monumental (sudden)
Decide how you’re likely to adhere
Change STARTS with BELIEF
Motivation comes AFTER belief
So change starts between your EARS
It’s all in your head – but it ends up on your ARTERIES
5/27/2018
Pepi Granat, MD

8. Real Life Here’s an example: Mr. Joe Grand:
Age 55; Family man; loves new grandbaby
Weighs 250 lb., 5’11”
Cholesterol 250; HDL 35; ratio 7.1
Eats meat & potatoes
Watches TV; no exercise
Father died at 65 with sudden heart attack
Where is he headed? (Doesn’t he already know this? Why no change?)
5/27/2018
Pepi Granat, MD

9. What This Means Everyone should pay MUCH more attention to food intake
Remember:
It’s only in your mouth a little while
It’s on your arteries forever
Forever is a lot shorter than it could be
5/27/2018
Pepi Granat, MD

10. Mediterranean Diet It’s delicious & easy It’s good for you
If you don’t fantasize the foods that are NOT good for you, you won’t miss them
Start doing it: you’ll get used to it
Remember: fruits, vegetables, grains, olive oil, fish – MAINLY
Small amounts other food are ok
GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!
5/27/2018
Pepi Granat, MD

11. The Mediterranean Diet and Mortality — Olive Oil and Beyond
5/27/2018
Hu FB.NEJM
Vol 348:
    
June 26, 2003
Next   

12. Plans & Promises You need to THINK about your nutrition every day
You need to enjoy your life – but don’t sabotage your arteries
You need to make changes you can live with – not fad diets and stop-gap solutions
You need to find a general physician who knows you & your special problems, and can follow you over time
5/27/2018
Pepi Granat, MD