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Most diets tout the benefits of odd food combinations that need to be eaten at the same time, avoided all together or other unconventional methods that are ‘guaranteed’ to help you trim your waistline.

Basically, when it comes down to the word ‘diet’, they’re mostly trendy and impractical in the long run. In the short run, they can shock the body into drastically dropping weight.

On the other end of the diet continuum is a smart eating plan that has kept people healthy for centuries – the Mediterranean Diet. Research has shown that the traditional Mediterranean Diet reduced the risk of heart disease and cancer in more than 1.5 million people, along with reducing the incidence of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.

With all of its countless health benefits, it’s amazingly simple, featuring plant-based foods that are the foundation of each meal, including:

  • Vegetables
  • Fruits
  • Whole Grains
  • Nuts
  • Legumes
  • Olive Oil
  • Fresh Herbs
  • Spices
  • Hearty Breads

These foods are eaten less often:

  • Meats and Sweets – limited amounts
  • Poultry, Eggs, Cheese and Yogurt – moderate portions, daily to weekly
  • Fish and Seafood – often, at least twice per week
  • Red Wine – drink in moderation

One of the main concepts of the Mediterranean Diet is that it centers around enjoying all of these wonderful foods with family and good friends. Besides a more robust diet, the Mediterranean Diet also encourages brisk exercise and relaxing.

If what you’ve learned by reading this article might be helpful to friends or family members, consider sharing it with them.

Source

http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/mediterranean-diet/art-20047801?footprints=mine

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