My Dear Readers:
I was born in Castrofilippo, Sicily, where I lived until the age of nine. Among my many memories of growing up in Sicily, those of family meals are the most vivid and heartwarming. Italians love to eat, and they love to share food with family and friends.
There was always an abundance of delicious food on the table. When it comes to food, abbondanza is the Sicilian byword. We lived on fresh fruits, vegetables, and nuts, as well as the extra-virgin olive oil and fresh-caught fish. No one was ever on a diet, but—as far as I can remember—no one was fat either. For us, food was associated with pleasure and relaxation, not anxiety and guilt.
Over my many years practicing medicine in New York City, I have seen countless patients try – and ultimately – fail to lose weight using mass market diets. It pains me to no end that obesity has reached epic levels in the United States. Over 60% of the population is overweight, and a staggering 35% is obese. Not a day goes by that I don’t see a patient whose weight has led to another problem like diabetes or heart disease.
Diets don’t work, lifestyle changes do. That is why I wrote my last book, The Mediterranean Prescription. I wanted to teach people not only how to eat well while losing weight but also educate them about the health ramifications of being overweight. I am humbled that the book has sold over 40,000 copies and generates so much praise from people who have successfully integrated the Mediterranean lifestyle into their everyday lives.
My new book Mediterranean Meals picks up where The Mediterranean Prescription leaves off. Over the last several years since I wrote The Mediterranean Prescription, many new scientific studies have been published confirming the health benefits of foods I highlight in my books. I wanted to bring readers up-to-date and provide additional information on the 7 Sicilian Superfoods used in the 25 new delicious new recipes.
I would love to hear from you. Even better, send me a picture of a Mediterranean-styel meal you prepare or a favorite recipe that we can share with others. You can reach me at dracquista@mediterraneanrx.com.
Mangia bene.