Your loved one’s neurologist might have suggested the Mediterranean Diet, but what does that entail? Is it all Greek salads, falafel, and hummus? And how do you stick to it year-round, especially in a place with four distinct seasons? Rest assured, the Mediterranean Diet is not only delicious but also practical and adaptable to any environment.
We’ve found that simplifying the Mediterranean Diet into daily goals has been a game-changer for our mom. This approach keeps her healthy and makes it easier for family and friends to help. We focus on boosting protein and fiber from complex carbs while reducing refined sugar. For Alzheimer’s patients, sugar can cause noticeable confusion. Reducing sugar intake is crucial to slowing the disease’s progression.
Here are our daily targets:
- Protein: 100 grams
- Fiber: 30 grams (with at least 15 grams from vegetables)
- Refined sugar: Less than 25 grams (6 teaspoons)
The Mediterranean Diet is a beacon of hope for managing chronic illnesses like Alzheimer’s. Nourishing your body with easily digestible foods helps conserve energy, allowing your body to maintain essential functions and manage symptoms more effectively. This diet is unique because it avoids the inflammation that high-carb diets often cause and stabilizes blood sugar levels. This consistency ensures that glucose, the brain’s primary fuel, reaches the brain without interruptions caused by sugar spikes, making it an ideal choice for Alzheimer’s patients.
If you’re eager to try delicious and easy Mediterranean recipes, we recommend Downshiftology. One of our mom’s favorite recipes is the Greek chicken souvlaki skewers—delicious and practical since the chicken is already cut into bite-sized pieces, perfect for her to enjoy independently at summer parties despite her intentional tremor making it challenging to cut food.
For a deeper understanding of how simple carbohydrates affect the brain, we enthusiastically suggest reading The Grain Brain by Dr. David Perlmutter.
