Advanced Mediterranean Diet

Not pictured: olive oil vinaigrette I dressed it with

Ingredients:

8 oz Romaine lettuce (4 cups chopped)

2 oz cooked ham (we like Boar’s Head Black Forest), strips or diced

2 oz cooked turkey (both our ham and turkey were deli-style, as for sandwiches), strips or diced

1 oz American cheese

1 oz mozzarella cheese

1/2 oz red onion, diced (optional)

4.5 oz tomato, diced, quartered, or chunked

8  (1 oz) black olives

1 hard-boiled egg, sliced or quartered

3 Tbsp salad dressing

I like a simple olive oil vinaigrette, either home-made or Newman’s Own. Nutrient analysis below assumes a traditional vinaigrette (3:1 ratio of olive oil to vinegar), which will typically have about 200 calories per two tablespoons, nearly all from the oil. Many commercial salad dressings have fewer calories due to water, which is sometimes listed as the first ingredient. For instance, Wishbone Balsamic Vinaigrette, which we like, has only 60 cals per two Tbsp; water is the first ingredient, vinegar next, then vegetable oil. The popular Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing has 140 cals per two Tbsp. Interestingly, Newman’s Own Olive Oil Vinaigrette does not require refrigeration after opening, unlike most other commercial dressings.

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Simple. Lay out your chopped lettuce on a large plate, then start topping with the other ingredients as artfully as you wish. Salad dressing is last.

Servings: 1

Nutrient Analysis (Fitday.com):

925 calories

Cals from fat: 67%

Cals from carbohydrate: 8%

Cals from protein: 25%

Protein grams: 55

Fiber: 7 g

Digestible carbs: 12 g

Alternatives: Instead of 8 oz Romaine lettuce, use only 4 oz Romaine plus 4 oz of either fresh spinach or kale. More micronutrients that way. Substitute your favorite cheeses ounce for ounce.

Steve Parker, M.D.

…with 4 oz sous vide chicken breast

Ingredients:

10 0z Brussels sprouts, raw, shredded

1/3 cup sweet onion, diced

1/4 cup (1.5 oz)  almond slivers or slices, toasted

2 and 1/4 Tbsp bacon bits (or 2 slices of bacon, fried, diced)

1/4 cup dried cranberries

Salt and pepper to taste

8 oz cooked chicken breast (boneless, skinless), sliced

For the vinaigrette

4.5 Tbsp EVOO

1.5 Tbsp apple cider vinegar

1.5 tsp sugar

Instructions:

Toast the almonds in a frying pan over medium heat, stirring frequently, until fragrant and slightly browned. this only takes a few minutes.Remove from heat and set aside.

Brussels sprouts: Slice off a small portion of the base or stalk and discard that along with any nasty leaves. I then like to rinse or briefly soak the sprouts in cold water to remove dust and unwanted particles. Then shred the sprouts with a knife, food processor, or mandolin. I used a knife. After this most of the work is done.

In a large bowl, dump the sprouts onion, almonds, bacon bits, and cranberries.

Combine the EVOO, vinegar, and sugar in bowl and whisk thoroughly, or put then in a jar and shake well. Pour over the sprouts and mix well.  Salt  and pepper to taste (may not need any). This is four cups of salad.

Servings size: 2 cups salad plus 4 oz chicken breast

Number of servings: 2

Rough nutrient analysis of one serving (Fitday.com):

775 calories

Carb calories 17%

Fat calories 60%

Protein calories 23%

Protein grams: 43

9 g fiber

Digestible carbs 25 g

Alternatives:

Substitute 4 oz of steak for the chicken. Mix 1.5 oz of parmesan cheese into the salad. Substitute dried cherries or raisins for the cranberries ounce for ounce. Substitute toasted crumbled walnuts for the almonds. Experiment with other vinegars.