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What is the Mediterranean Diet?

The Mediterranean diet is not a “diet” per se. It is a mix of the traditional eating habits of people living in Spain, Italy, France, Greece and the Middle East.

How to Start the Mediterranean Diet?

• Eat natural, unprocessed foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains and nuts.
• Make olive oil your primary source of dietary fat
• Reduce the consumption of red meat (Monthly)
• Eat low to moderate amounts of fish (Weekly)
• Drink a moderate amount of wine (up to one to two glasses per day for men and up to one glass per day for women)

(*) Benefits of the Mediterranean Diet

A lot of scientists believe the Mediterranean Diet is the gold standard in healthy eating. New studies appear regularly on leading scientific journals, supporting the healthfulness of the Mediterranean Diet.

These are some examples of studies confirming its health benefits:

• Boost your heart health: Diet alone could boost your heart health [1]
• Reach your ideal weight: People following a Mediterranean style diet have more long term benefits and lose weight safely [2]
• Control your blood sugar: Mediterranean diet could help you prevent high blood sugar [3]
• Improve bones health: People from the Mediterranean countries have lower rates of hip fractures. [4]
• Improve your brain health: Antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables play an important role in cognitive capacity [5]

(*) Please note that your results may vary, and you may not get the same results when using this program due to differences in your individual history, genetics, and personal motivation. Consult your physician before beginning any nutrition program.

Foods to Eat

This is a sample food list:

Fresh fruit. Have 3 or 4 pieces of fruit every day. Make one of these fruits an orange; they are very high in antioxidants and phytochemicals, substances that protect us against problems. Berries (such as strawberries, blueberries, raspberries) are also a must in this diet because of their antioxidants. If you want to follow a Mediterranean diet, eat some fruit for dessert. That is how Mediterraneans eat their fruit most of the times.

Veggies. Have a salad in your main meals. Use olive oil and lemon for dressing; This is a powerful antioxidant combination. Tomatoes and tomato products are a staple food in the Mediterranean diet; they contain lycopene. Cut a whole tomato and spread it with olive oil and some basil as part of your side dish or include them in your salads. Sauté green beans with olive oil and garlic to have a complete Mediterranean side dish. Zucchini are also a delightful complement; sauté them with olive oil.

Whole Grains. Have a piece of whole wheat or whole grain bread with your main meals (except with pasta). Have whole wheat pasta 2 or 3 times a week. It is low in calories, and the fiber enhances the feeling of fullness.

Legumes. Eat dried beans, lentils, or garbanzo beans 2 or 3 times a week. Nutrition experts at the Michigan State University tell us that eating 2 to 4 cups of cooked legumes every week could boost our heart health. Dry beans have fiber that could reduce cholesterol from the body. Eat legumes and a piece of whole grain bread to have the perfect protein. Vegetable protein does not put a load on kidneys as animal protein does.

Nuts. Have a handful of nuts as a snack in your morning break. Nuts are also a staple food in Mediterranean countries and are high in monounsaturated fat, the one that does not get stuck in the arteries. Read the food label and be aware of portions because nuts are high in calories. Scientific studies have found that almonds and walnuts could be the healthiest choices.

Olive oil. Use olive oil in your meals both to cook and as a condiment in your salads. Olive oil is the main source of fat in Mediterranean countries and could be the “cause” of the low incidence of heart problems in those countries [7]. Use olive oil and lemon as a dip in your salads.

Fish and sea food. Have fish and sea food two or three times a week. Salmon and sardines are excellent choices because they provide omega-3 oils, oils that the body needs but cannot create in enough quantities.

Garlic and aromatic herbs. Use garlic and aromatic herbs as condiment. Garlic could be the leading contributor to the low incidence of high blood pressure in Mediterranean countries [8].

Sample Mediterranean Diet Menu

A 28 day diet plan would introduce changes gradually. Studies have shown that small changes over time are an effective way to make lifelong habits. Start with the elimination of processed foods and increase fruit and vegetable. Continue by adding more beans and switch from other oils (or butter) to extra virgin olive oil. Limit seafood, poultry and eggs to a few times per week each and reduce red meat to no more than a portion a month. And finally focus on dairy products and avoid milk, cream and butter.

It is difficult to choose just one menu, but here’s what a day’s worth of meals might look like:

• Breakfast: Greek yogurt topped with berries and walnuts; Coffee or tea
• Lunch: Lentil soup with swish chard topped with taziki sauce; Hummus and pita
• Snack: Whole grain crackers and cheese
• Dinner: Roasted cod paired with a wheat berry salad consisting of olive oil vinaigrette, feta, parsley, and tomatoes and a glass of red wine
• Dessert: Fresh fruit drizzled with honey

How to Lose Weight While on the Mediterranean Diet?

Eat a minimum of five servings of fruits and vegetables daily. Choose foods rich in fiber, vitamins and phytonutrients. Eat legumes at least 8 times a week. Legumes are a low fat, fiber filled and a good source of protein. Limit refined grains and choose whole grains. Lower fat dairy options should replace full fat dairy products. Olive oil would be limited to a tablespoon per day. The human body requires dietary fat, and plant based olive oil is a heart healthy choice.

Fish, eggs and poultry should be limited to no more than two servings each, per week. These are good sources of protein but contain more calories than legumes. Wine should be limited to one glass per day. A four ounce glass of red wine is full of antioxidants but contains 100 to 120 calories.

Eat fruit for dessert. Consume no more than 2 eggs a week. Replace butter with olive oil for cooking. Use honey to sweeten (no sugar). Eat red meats once a month. Put in 30 min. of moderate physical activity each day.

Sample Menus
Sample 1200 Calorie Diet

References: