In this episode of the Performance Initiative Podcast, Dr. Grant Cooper and Dr. Zinovy Meyler interview Serena Ball, a renowned food writer, dietician and expert on the Mediterranean diet. Serena answers questions about what the Mediterranean diet is, how to make it interesting, and tips/tricks for everyday use. She also discusses the benefits of specific food items like olive oil, herbs, seeds, nuts, beans, and incorporating them into daily diet plans. At the end of the episode, Serena introduces her new book "The Smart Mediterranean Diet Cookbook: 101 Brain-Healthy Recipes to Protect Your Mind and Boost Your Mood", co-written with Deanna Segrave-Daly. (00:00) Introduction - Serena Ball (02:42) Understanding the Mediterranean Diet (08:12) The Importance of Eating Together (11:25) The Role of Selenium in the Mediterranean Diet (11:26) Cooking Tips for the Mediterranean Diet (14:25) The Benefits of Canned and Frozen Fruits (26:01) Preparing Mediterranean Breakfast (36:04) Preparing Mediterranean Lunch (39:20) Creating Savory and Sweet Dishes (40:32) Discussion on Meat in Kids' Lunches (41:49) Peanut Butter in Schools (42:29) Snacks in the Mediterranean Diet (45:42) Desserts in the Mediterranean Diet (49:45) Kitchen Hacks for the Mediterranean Diet (01:00:39) Benefits of the Mediterranean Diet (01:09:17) Closing Remarks and Recommendations Serena Ball's & Deanna Segrave-Daly's Website: https://teaspoonofspice.com/ Serena Ball's books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=serena+ball&rh=n%3A6&ref=nb_sb_noss Performance Initiative Social & Website: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKPNCI1-HBSZmiHNAlAjiIw Website: https://www.performanceinitiativepodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/performanceinitiative TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@UCKPNCI1-HBSZmiHNAlAjiIw  #mediterranean #mediterraneandiet #mediterraneandietrecipes #nutrition #nutritiontips #nutritionfacts #healthyeating #healthy #cooking #cookingtips #mealprep #mealprepping #brain #brainhealth #sustainability #sustainable #sustainableeating #kitchen #kitchenhacks