The Mediterranean Diet is not so much as a diet but a way of life and something, even if you are not looking to lose weight you might want to consider. For many years this diet was consider healthy and studied extensively. The eating was more way of life. The people of the Mediterranean are a hardy, hard working and I mean physically hard working people. The main base of there food is fresh fruit and vegetables, the meat is only eaten occasionally but in some parts of the Mediterranean the diet is high in fish and shellfish products.
This diet is different than most diets in that the emphasis is on fresh fruits and vegetables almost like a vegetarian diet but you are allowed to have meat or fish in this diet. This type of eating is from the Mediterranean, but the whole Mediterranean. From Spain, Portugal to the Middle East and even Northern Africa. The variety of foods is almost limitless but the lack of processed foods might be the key along with healthy legumes, whole grains, cereal and fruit and even moderate amounts of wine.
This is more of a lifestyle than a diet. A way of life for the people of this region. The foods are colorful and spiced with the spices of the region. This diet does not have a large emphasis on protein and fat at the expense of carbohydrates. This is a diet even a diabetic could fall in love with. With the large emphasis on fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains you have a diet that will be easy to cut back on the carbohydrates and maintain a low blood sugar.
This diet has proven time and time again that the wholesome food you eat will play a major part in your health. The people of this region have the lowest incidence of heart problems along with obesity and diabetes. Now unfortunately the fast food companies have moved in and the heart problems have started to rise along with the other ailments that are associated with poor eating habits and becoming obese.
This is a very simple diet or lifestyle change to follow. There are many books with a multitude of recipes from all the different regions of this diet. You can gradually ease into this diet and eat very healthy on the way to a healthier life. This diet relies on fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, fish and shellfish rather than the western diet which is heavy with meat. In the areas of the Mediterranean olive oils is substituted for fat and this is so much healthier. Try toast with a little of extra virgin olive oil spiced with some salt, pepper, and oregano, basil mixed in. Changes the definition of toast and you may never use butter again.
Do not be fooled as this is a serious diet with many healthy choices to keep you from getting bored. Can you lose weight on this diet and the answer would be yes and rather easily. The majority of the foods you eat are on the allowable list of almost any diet. The beauty is that there is little if ant calorie counting but just good wholesome eating.
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