According to research, the Mediterranean diet, which emphasises fresh produce, whole grains, legumes, olive oil, and seafood, has a number of health advantages. These include a decrease in body weight and a lower risk of diabetes, heart disease, and several types of cancer. It’s also simple to follow because it doesn’t call for calorie counting and permits a variety of tasty foods. See if it’s a good fit for you.
The Mediterranean Diet: What Is It?
It’s likely that you’ve heard the Mediterranean diet is a healthy eating plan. But did you realise that it has existed for a long time? In the 1950s, American researcher Ancel Keys, Ph.D., made the discovery that meals consumed by residents of the Mediterranean region—specifically, southern Italy and Greece—protected them against heart disease.
Registered dietitians and food writers have developed this diet over time into a workable and well-liked method of eating. The Mediterranean diet has been endorsed by the American Heart Association and Dietary Guidelines for Americans (2020–2025) as a method of eating that can help lower risk of heart disease and stroke as well as a variety of other health issues.
This diet does not have a single rigorous form and does not call for calorie counting or even portion control. Instead, it highlights the value of consuming extra virgin olive oil, lean meats, fish, and red wine in moderation, as well as fresh produce such fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes. Additionally, it promotes minimising red meat, processed foods, dairy products, and sweets.
The Mediterranean diet is still widely adopted since it is simple to follow and effectively promotes long life and good health. According to Boston-based registered dietitian Elizabeth Ward, coauthor of The Menopause Diet Plan: A Natural Guide to Managing Hormones, Health and Happiness and former spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the Mediterranean diet “may help prevent weight gain, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers, as well as preserve cognitive function with age and promote gut health, among other benefits.”
The Foods in the Mediterranean Diet
Foods for the Mediterranean diet are fortunately not uncommon or difficult to get, but they are fresh. The Mediterranean diet is high in fibre, vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients, which are protective plant chemicals, because it is based on fresh and minimally processed plant foods, claims Ward. The items that are recommended for the Mediterranean diet are listed below along with some health benefits.
Produce and Fruit
According to a report published in the journal Nutrients, eating a lot of veggies can aid in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. And a study that was published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association suggests that a diet high in fruits and vegetables can help avoid some malignancies.
Whole Grains and Legume
All legumes, including lentils, help control blood sugar and may have anti-cancer properties. They also offer other nutrients like iron, protein, fibre, and B vitamins. Whole grains also include minerals and phytochemicals, are high in fibre, and reduce the risk of diabetes, cancer, and heart disease.
Oil of olives and nuts
Extra-virgin olive oil, an unsaturated fat source that has been shown to help lower the risk of stroke and heart attack and lower blood pressure, is a key component of the Mediterranean diet.
Nuts are nutrient powerhouses, loaded with protein, fibre, unsaturated fat, and B vitamins. The majority of nuts include magnesium, which among other things keeps bones strong, supports normal blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Additionally, alpha-linoleic acid, a crucial omega-3 fatty acid that may lower the risk of coronary heart disease, is found specifically in walnuts.
Fish
Fish is given precedence in the Mediterranean diet over other types of meat. According to Ward, “fish and shellfish contain high-quality protein, omega-3 fatty acids that support heart and brain function and aid in the battle against chronic inflammation, as well as various vitamins and minerals, including vitamin D and selenium.” All seafood has some omega-3s, although coldwater species like salmon have more [good] fats than warmerwater fish.
Moderate Red Wine and Dairy Consumption
Despite the fact that this diet “allows for small amounts of wine with meals, you are not required to begin drinking if you do not already,” according to Ward. And the recommendation’s key phrase is “tiny.” According to the American Heart Association, this equates to two 5-ounce glasses for males and one for women per day. Uncertainty surrounds certain studies that claim wine, particularly red wine, which is high in phytonutrients, has a positive impact on the heart.
Conversely, the Mediterranean diet promotes the moderate consumption of dairy products including eggs, cheese, and yoghurt. These offer protein, saturated fat, calcium, phosphorus, and vitamins A and D.
With this diet, measuring servings is not necessary, but moderation is crucial. It’s critical to keep in mind that the eating pattern is most important and that no single component of the Mediterranean diet, such as olive oil, is a panacea for better health. For instance, you aren’t allowed to eat as much feta cheese or almonds as you like or to put on as much olive oil as you like to your dish.
Rarely, sweets and meat are served
On the Mediterranean diet, limit your intake of meat and sweets. Avoid processed or junk food that has little nutritional value and is high in salt, saturated fat, or sugar.
