3 food rules you should steal from the world’s healthiest diet

The Mediterranean diet is considered to be one of the healthiest—those who follow it are less likely to develop high blood pressure, high cholesterol or become obese. Follow these simple rules for a healthier lifestyle.
1. Stock your pantry and cook at home. Do your best to cook more and use whole, unprocessed ingredients so you can control portion sizes, salt and calories.

2. Get most of your protein from beans and fish. By displacing meat, you’ll lower your saturated-fat intake while adding healthful nutrients, like fiber and antioxidant-rich flavonols.

3. Make olive oil your staple fat. Use heart-healthy olive oil as well as other plant-based oils like canola and walnut oil instead of saturated-fat-laden, LDL cholesterol-raising butter, lard or shortening—even in baking.