Eating a nutritious and wholesome diet is important for optimal health and well-being. The Mediterranean diet has gained popularity in this respect. This article explains the origin, importance, and core foods in the Mediterranean diet. This is a traditional diet of the Mediterranean region and it’s a diet that really came into popularity in the 1960s. It’s also called a heart-healthy diet.
It was found that people from the Mediterranean region had lower rates of heart diseases and stroke so researchers looked back and observed the eating patterns of the people of these regions that might have helped to prevent the risk of heart diseases. They found that there were a lot of commonalities within this region in terms of diet and one of them was reliance on whole unprocessed natural foods with less sugar and less processing.
Why the Mediterranean Diet?
The Mediterranean style of eating is growing in popularity now although it has been around for a while. Moreover, it is recognized by World Health Organization as part of a healthy eating pattern for the promotion of health and prevention of diseases. Also, the reason behind its popularity is the researches show that the diet promotes not only wellness but also decreases the risk of heart disease, obesity, cancer, stroke, diabetes, and other chronic diseases.
The Mediterranean diet rich in extra virgin olive oil helps the body to remove excess cholesterol from the body. Thus keeping the blood vessels open and reducing the risk of heart attacks. Also, it’s a super versatile diet and super easy to implement. There are a lot of variables involved and it can be really simple and easy and a fun way to eat. This is a great diet for anyone who wants to
Mediterranean diet has evolved over the years and it varies according to different regions and countries but generally, a Mediterranean diet includes:
1. Whole Grains
These include whole wheat bread, pasta, crackers
Sorghum, quinoa, and oats
Buckwheat, bulgur, and barley as well
2. Fruits and Veggies
Starchy and non-starchy vegetables include tomatoes, broccoli, kale, spinach, onions, cauliflower, carrots, Brussels sprouts, cucumbers, etc
Also consume all fruits including apples, bananas, berries, peaches, and grapes.
Aim for 5-7 servings of fruits and vegetables each day.
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3. Proteins
Consume beans, lentils, chickpeas, and tofu liberally.
You can eat chicken, fish, and seafood occasionally.
Also, limit intake of red meat and processed meat. So, go for small portion sizes.
Eat fish twice a week either freshwater fish or canned fish. Avoid deep-fried fish and chicken.
4. Healthy Fats
Almonds, pistachios, hazelnuts, walnuts, sunflower seeds, and all unsweetened and unsalted nuts
Avoid sugar-coated nuts and nut butter
Replace butter and margarine with olive oil, use it for seasoning your food
Eat foods from this group in moderation.
5. Milk and Dairy
Use low-fat milk and plain Greek yogurt
Cottage cheese, goat cheese, or others
Opt for unsweetened low-fat products and eat small amounts in moderation.
6. Herbs and spices
Spice your food up with fresh and dried herbs
They lessen the need for salt and add flavor to your food
There is no reason to restrict these in your diet
7. Drinks
Tea/Green Tea
Coffee
Water
Avoid sodas and sweetened fruit juices.
How to get started?
“Even though it’s called the Mediterranean diet, it’s not really a diet,” said a registered dietitian in Atlanta at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
It’s the kind of diet that doesn’t restrict you to something. It encourages you to eat food from all the groups while emphasizing those most beneficial to health and well-being. People who once adopt a Mediterranean style of eating don’t prefer any other way of eating. Here are a few recommendations to make your diet more Mediterranean.
Start Small
Well, in order to follow a specific dietary lifestyle what we need to look at is any kind of unhealthy habits that need to be changed. So, it’s important to start small. If you are looking at making a complete revamp, it gets a little bit overwhelming. So, you have to think of specific things that you can pull from this dietary pattern and implement in your daily routine.
It’s better if you do one thing at a time, it might be something where you’re replacing red meat with fish or chicken. Maybe you’re adding more legumes and chickpeas in your meals, maybe you’ve never tried lentils and you’re looking for recipes that utilize these types of healthy plant protein. Think of ways to utilize seasonal local produce, and try new combinations and recipes.
Get moving
Instead of considering exercise something strenuous that you have to go and do in a gym. Just get up walk with family and friends, play with children or simply dance in joyful movements. These are all considered physical activities. The Mediterranean diet pyramid also focuses on staying physically active along with adopting a healthy eating pattern.
Meal Time Matters
It is recommended that proper time should be given to each meal. Put away all the distractions turn off the TV, leave your cell phone, chew slowly, and focus on every bite. On average 20-30 minutes should be given to each meal. If it’s hard to implement start small make small adjustments then gradually move towards bigger changes.
Eating slowly helps in improving digestion, hydration, and weight maintenance. When you eat slowly you feel satisfied and full with each meal.
Replace butter with olive oil
The amount of fat is not as important as the type of fat. The Mediterranean diet emphasizes heart-healthy unsaturated types of fats. This dietary pattern gives importance to olive oil as the main source of fat for your meals. Saturated fats from butter can raise your LDL levels or bad cholesterol. Replacing it with unsaturated fats like olive oil can help lower your cholesterol levels by raising HDL or good cholesterol. This improves your heart health and lowers the risk of obesity.
Focus on plant-based meals
Healthy plant-based meals should consist of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. Add a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables to your diet. These are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals phytochemicals, and fiber that helps to reduce the risk of chronic diseases and help maintain a healthy weight. What does a healthy plate look like? Nutrition experts at Harvard School of Public Health created a visual Healthy Eating Plate to encourage healthy eating.
