I'm a dietitian who follows the Mediterranean diet. I always keep these 6 staple foods in my kitchen.
Getty
- The Mediterranean diet has long been lauded for its wide-ranging health benefits.
- Dietitian Kirsten Jackson told Insider she follows the diet to boost her gut health.
- Jackson shared six staples she always has in her kitchen, including olive oil and wholegrain carbs.
A registered dietitian who follows the Mediterranean diet, which is lauded for its wide-ranging health benefits, has shared what she always keeps stocked in her kitchen.
The diet is widely considered to be one of the healthiest ways to eat, thanks to its links with heart health and a lower risk of various diseases including Parkinson's and diabetes.
It emphasizes vegetables, legumes, seafood, olive oil, and wine in moderation, and encourages minimal consumption of processed and fried foods, red meat, refined grains, added sugars, and saturated fats.
Registered dietitian Kirsten Jackson follows the Mediterranean diet because research suggests it reduces the risk of multiple health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and mental health conditions, she told Insider.
"As an IBS sufferer, the Mediterranean diet also provides me with the recommended 30 different sources of plants per week which I know will help me diversify my gut bacteria," she said.
The Mediterranean diet doesn't need to be strict though, and you can still enjoy other foods in moderation, Jackson said.
Jackson shared six foods she always keeps in her kitchen to help her eat Mediterranean-style.