5 Health Lessons We Can Learn From
The Ancient GreeksBy Maria Benardis
The word "diet" comes from the
ancient Greek “diaita,” which means "the way of life." In Ancient
Greece, a diet was about good health, not radical weight loss or getting into a
certain outfit.
My book, Cooking & Eating Wisdom for
Better Health, empowers people with the tools of how to cook intuitively using
healing ingredients that harmonize your body and mind.
Cooking and eating will
become a time to celebrate, a time to deeply connect with yourself, a time to
awaken to new experiences and to heal. I encourage people to explore and
rediscover how to use nature for personal healing instead of solely relying on
medicine.
Below are five health tips culled from the
wisdom of the ancient Greeks:
1.
Adopt a Mediterranean diet.
As was inscribed on the temple of Apollo at
Delphi, “Nothing in excess." The Mediterranean diet is based on eating
everything in moderation and to “let food be thy medicine and medicine thy
food,” as Hippocrates said. The Mediterranean diet is high in fruit and
vegetables, legumes, unrefined cereals, dairy products (mainly cheese, such as
goat’s and sheep’s cheeses, and yogurt), and olive oil is the principal oil.
Fish and poultry are consumed in low to moderate quantities, and meat is eaten
only occasionally. This diet focuses on a high healthy fat intake (olive oil,
nuts and seeds) and a low intake of unhealthy fats (animal fats). Their intake
of high energy food such as fruit and vegetables is greater than the intake of
low energy foods such as meat, fish and poultry. Honey and grape must are the
key sweeteners, and are preferred to white sugar.
2.
Cook with wholesome ingredients.
Use ingredients that come from a place of
“agapi” (Greek word for unconditional love). For me, this means local,
certified organic and sustainable produce that's in season. Use good oils for
your dishes. Some good sources of oils include extra virgin olive oil, avocado
oil, walnut oil, and coconut oil. Avoid restaurants that use vegetable oils,
canola oil/corn oil/cotton seed oil (these are usually genetically modified),
peanut oil, hydrogenated oil and palm oil.
Opt not to use ingredients riddled with
chemicals and pesticides, or GMOs. The kind of energy emitted by chemicals and
pesticides diminishes our spiritual energy and our ability to connect with
ourselves. Chemicals, GMOs and pesticides alter the harmonious balance of the
food and when consumed alter our inner balance and make us ill, both physically
and emotionally.
You should also consume probiotic foods
such as Greek yogurt and fermented vegetables to ensure good gut health;
they're called “probiotic” because they are “for life.”
3.
Adopt healthy and happy thoughts.
Those who approached the Oracle at Delphi
were encouraged to have “good thoughts”. An excess of unhappy thoughts can
cause an imbalance in the body and lead to many illnesses. Inner balance and
agapi cannot coexist with worry, stress, anger, frustration, fear, anxiety and
competitiveness. These feelings or experiences do not create good feelings or
good energy when cooking, eating or for our health.
Ultimately, we are
responsible for our health and well-being, so it's important to substitute fear
with faith.
4.
Moderate exercise.
According to Hippocrates, “If we could give
every individual the right amount of nourishment and exercise, not too little
and not too much, we would have found the safest way to health.” Incorporate at
least half an hour exercise each day for good health and vitality. Exercise is
also a great way to reduce stress and to lower blood pressure.
5.
Eat with peace and calm.
Another important eating practice for good
health and longevity is to eat with peace, calm and joy. It is important not to
rush meal times. In Greece, people leave their work for lunch to go home and to
enjoy the meal with their families and friends. When we rush our eating time it
interrupts the harmony, the flow of energy and the time needed to enjoy a meal
that in the end will nourish and heal our body and soul.
To ensure a long, healthy life we all need
to eat mindfully and to become aware of the food w eat. We also need to take
note of how the food we are eating affects the way we feel. Eat for the purpose
of nourishing, and eat clean ingredients free of chemicals and pesticides —
just like they did in ancient Greece.
Do things in life that make you happy to
ensure a healthy, happy mind and thoughts; and, of course, get some moderate
exercise daily.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Maria Benardis is a Gourmand Award winning
author, health coach, teacher, chef and Founder of Greekalicious
[www.greekalicious.com.au]
Maria published her first book titled “My
Greek Family Table” (Penguin), which won the prestigious Gourmand World
Cookbook Awards – Best Mediterranean Cuisine Book in Australia 2009 and this
was followed by her ebook, “A Greekalicious Feast”. She also recently published
her new book “Cooking & Eating Wisdom for Better Health” (Balboa Press) –
How the Wisdom of Ancient Greece can lead to a longer Life.
Maria is a slow food advocate and regularly
appears on radio, television and the print media to enthusiastically share the
Greek heritage, its food and healing wisdoms that create vibrant health, and a
balanced and peaceful life. She recently moved to New York City from Sydney,
Australia to teach Greek cookery and the ancient Greek wisdoms at the Natural
Gourmet Institute.
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