Love the beach? Visit Carlsbad! Love Food? Visit Carlsbad’ s Healthy Foodie Walking Tour

• lowers your risk of health problems like high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes
• strengthens your bones and muscles
• helps you burn more calories
• lifts your mood

Healthy food tastings: Mediterranean foods including lots of marinara & garlic – Carlsbad’ s Healthy Foodie Walking Tour
The Mediterranean diet incorporates the basics of healthy eating — plus a splash of flavorful olive oil and perhaps even a glass of red wine — among other components characterizing the traditional cooking style of countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea.
Benefits of the Mediterranean diet
Research has shown that the traditional Mediterranean diet reduces the risk of heart disease. In fact, an analysis of more than 1.5 million healthy adults demonstrated that following a Mediterranean diet was associated with a reduced risk of death from heart disease and cancer, as well as a reduced incidence of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends the Mediterranean diet as an eating plan that can help promote health and prevent disease. And the Mediterranean diet is one your whole family can follow for good health.

Red wine health benefits – Carlsbad’ s Healthy Foodie Walking Tour

• Memory Protection against Alzheimer’s. The powerful antioxidant resveratrol protects against cell damage and prevents age-related mental decline.
  • Mimics Exercise: Resveratrol is also responsible for heart-healthy benefits, including improved physical performance and muscle strength. It also mimics cardiovascular enhancements similar to exercise.

• Cancer Treatment: Researchers aren’t exactly sure how, but another active antioxidant in red wine known as quercetin works against cancer cells, according to the American Cancer Society. It helps to induce natural cell death in certain types of cancers, most often colon cancer.
• Promotes Long Life: Red wine drinkers have a 34 percent lower mortality rate than beer or vodka drinkers, according to a 29-year-long study. Resveratrol is the polyphenol that could be responsible for its longevity benefits. But researchers think any diet rich in polyphenols, which are known to protect against the development of chronic illness.
• Lowers Risk of Heart Disease and Stroke: Red wine tannins, which are what make red wine the color red, contain procyanidins — known for protecting against heart disease. Resveratrol also helps to remove chemicals responsible for causing blood clots, which is the primary cause of coronary disease. A daily dose of red wine cuts blood clot-related stroke rates by 50 percent.

Carlsbad Alkaline Mineral Water – Carlsbad’ s Healthy Foodie Walking Tour

• Alkaline water can help slow the aging process, regulate your body’s pH level, and prevent chronic diseases like cancer.
• Alkaline water has a pH of 8 or 9.
• Regular tap water generally has a pH of 6 to 7.
• Studies have found that drinking alkaline water with a pH of 8.8 can help deactivate pepsin, which is the main enzyme that causes acid reflux.
• Another study suggested that drinking alkaline water may have benefits for people who suffer from high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol.

Dark Chocolate – Carlsbad’ s Healthy Foodie Walking Tour

• Dark chocolate is loaded with nutrients that can positively affect your health.
• Made from the seed of the cocoa tree, it is one of the best sources of antioxidants on the planet.
• Studies show that dark chocolate can improve health and lower the risk of heart disease.

·     It contains a decent amount of soluble fiber and is loaded with minerals.
·        Dark Chocolate is a Powerful Source of Antioxidants
·        Dark chocolate is loaded with organic compounds that are biologically active and function as antioxidants. These include polyphenols, flavanols, catechins, among others.
·        Dark Chocolate May Improve Blood Flow and Lower Blood Pressure

• Dark Chocolate Raises HDL and Protects LDL Against Oxidation

Olive oil – Carlsbad’ s Healthy Foodie Walking Tour

• Olive oil, which is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, is a major component of the Mediterranean diet,
• Olive oil is the main source of dietary fat in the Mediterranean diet. Populations from that region have longer life expediencies and lower risks of heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke.
• Olive oil helps prevent stroke
• Depression risk lower with olive oil, higher with trans fats
• Olive oil helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels
•  Olive oil protects against Alzheimer’s disease
• Oleocanthal is a type of natural phenolic compound found in extra-virgin olive oil
• Olive oil helps prevent acute pancreatitis
• Extra virgin olive oil is rich in oleic acid and hydroxytyrosol, which affect the development of acute pancreatitis(sudden inflammation of the pancreas).
• Olive oil protects from ulcerative colitis

Vegetarian tastings – health benefits -Carlsbad’ s Healthy Foodie Walking Tour 

• The term vegetarian generally means a person who does not consume animal products.
• Have a Live longer- several studies have shown that vegetarians have a much lower risk of becoming obese, developing diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
• Lower body weight – Carlsbad’ s Healthy Foodie Walking Tour
• Have better cholesterol levels
• Have a lower risk of developing cancer- several studies have shown a reduced risk of developing many different types of cancer among vegetarians, compared to meat eaters

Small frequent tastings

• Small, frequent meals are better for your metabolism
• Eating smaller, more frequent meals can help stabilize blood glucose levels. Small meals contain less glucose than larger meals and cause blood sugar to increase at a much slower rate. This fact makes eating smalls meals especially helpful for people with diabetes or hypoglycemia.
• Has been shown to produce a lower level of blood cholesterol
• Spreads the absorption of nutrients more evenly throughout the day
• Leads to a smoother insulin response which is beneficial for blood glucose control
• Does not lead to weight gain if calorie intake remains stable
• May help people control their calorie intake more effectively
• Helps active people and those with high energy requirements meet their calorie needs
• Helps those with a small appetite meet their calorie needs
• Resting between walking
• Research suggests that short rest periods are just as important as the exercise itself.
• Taking it easy now and again not only allows the muscles to recover, it also makes the body fitter faster

Social Interaction

• The benefits of being social

Specific health benefits of social interaction in older adults include:

• Potentially reduced risk for cardiovascular problems, some cancers, osteoporosis, and rheumatoid arthritis
• Potentially reduced risk for Alzheimer’s disease
• Lower blood pressure

Reduced risk for mental health issues such as depression

• Conversely, social isolation carries real risks. Some of these risks are:
• Feeling lonely and depressed
• Being less physically active
• Having a greater risk of death
• Having high blood pressure
• Social interaction helps keep your brain from getting rusty, but it’s most effective when coupled with an overall healthy lifestyle, including a nutritious diet and physical activity.

• We will visit a California-style cafe, a European-style restaurant, an Italian eatery, a Mexican deli and other restaurants and specialty shops that are uniquely representative of Carlsbad! With the combination of wine and food tastings most participants are comfortably full after our food tours. Tastings may vary but in general we will sample both sweet and savory items. Most of our tastings are vegan-friendly. Please be sure to let us know if you have any dietary restrictions when you purchase your tickets, we can often accommodate your needs. Come and eat like the Locals, find all the hidden gems in Carlsbad.