Impact of a Mediterranean Diet on Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors

At first, a two-hour group session titled 'Discovering New Flavors' is conducted. This session aims to promote the consumption of healthy foods that should be included in the participants' daily diet. In order to create a different dynamic and enhance interaction, some recipe suggestions are prepared in a group setting. The intervention group is advised to have three (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) to four (breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, and dinner) daily meals. Participants are encouraged not to count calories, thus emphasizing the importance of moderation. Regarding the main meals, legumes are recommended as a protein source for dinner. On the other hand, for lunch, the protein component can include white meats, fish, or eggs. Red and/or processed meats are excluded in this intervention. Moreover, all participants in this group are encouraged to practice a nightly fasting period of at least 12 hours.

"An educational session titled Healthy Eating: Nutritional Recommendations for Individuals at Risk of Cardiovascular Disease will be conducted in a group setting.~The objective of this session is to raise awareness among participants about the importance of a healthy diet and lifestyle in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases."