Food for thought

Dear Reader, I like to think I've done a pretty decent job of debunking all those low fat diet myths by now. Fat is your friend--simple as that. And eating plenty of it is a requirement if you want to get and stay healthy. But if anyone out there still needs convincing, this latest study ought to do the trick. Researchers followed 522 subjects at high vascular risk from the PREDIMED trial. (This trial was designed to assess the effects of the Mediterranean diet on heart disease prevention. I've mentioned it a couple of times before.) Participants in the study ate one of two variations on the Mediterranean diet--one heavier on extra virgin olive oil, the other heavier on mixed nuts--or a low fat diet. After six and a half years, researchers assessed the subjects' cognitive function. Tests evaluated skills like language, memory, attention span, etc. And surprise, surprise! Average scores on mental exams revealed that subjects eating a Mediterranean diet had a significant edge over their low fat counterparts. Just as a refresher, your typical Mediterranean diet is rich in lean protein, nuts, fresh veggies, and healthy fats. Exactly like my New Hamptons Health Miracle. See? I told you it's the smart way to eat.