Experience the natural goodness!
Mediterranean diet is one of the latest entrants into the field of nutritional models, designed in the lines of the traditional dietary recipes of the
Mediterranean countries such as Greece and Southern Italy. These diets stand apart from other diet regimens due to their richness in fruits, vegetables, olive oil, red wine and fish. It is touted as a healthy
diet due to the presence of monounsaturated fat and dietary fiber. Mediterranean diet was first promoted by an American doctor Ancel Keys based in Italy, way back in 1945, however it failed to get noticed by the medical fraternity until recently.
The large quantity of olive oil in the
Mediterranean diet is thought to have the capacity to lower the blood cholesterol apart from lowering blood sugar and blood pressure. Red wine, rich in flavonoids has strong antioxidant qualities. Though there was a wide spread apprehension that the
Mediterranean diet recipes were deficient in Calcium, dieticians opine that green vegetables and goat cheese that dominate the Mediterranean diet plan are rich in calcium. Mediterranean cookbook also promotes dairy products, poultry, red meat and fish in moderate quantities amounts.
The American Heart Association found that the
Mediterranean diets are at par with their dietary specifications. It was also observed that dieters who adopt the average Mediterranean
diet consume less saturated fat than those who follow a typical American diet. The rate of heart ailments in Mediterranean countries is much less than the United States and dietary plan is thought to have a significant role in this.
The Mediterranean diet is not fully fat free as beneficial fats such as linolenic acid present in olive oil and nuts are lavishly included in this diet plan. Studies have proved that omega-3 fatty acids have useful anti-inflammatory properties and help to keep the blood vessel lining healthy. Saturated fats or trans-fatty acids, thought to be responsible for heart disease is totally eliminated in
Mediterranean diet. Grains used in the Mediterranean countries are comparatively free from unhealthy trans fats, which make bread an important constituent of this diet. Mediterranean diet recommends eating bread without butter, which is rich in saturated fat.
Nuts like walnuts or almonds are rich in fat and omega-3 fatty acids that are beneficial to the overall health. However as they are calorie rich, over consumption is not recommended. Red wine has anticoagulant properties apart from antioxidants. But, wine should be consumed only in moderate quantities as over consumption could be hazardous to health.
Including a
Mediterranean diet into your daily life is easy as never before. Next time when you go for shopping remember to pick up loads of fresh fruits, vegetables and fish and cut sown on red meat. Use olive oil and Canola oil, instead of butter for salad dressing. Stay away from sausage, or other high-fat meats like bacon.
However all these
diet plans are not for everyone. Consult your dietitian to pick up the best option for you after considering your goals, general health condition and medical history.
