If you are looking for a new diet plan, you might want to take a look at the Mediterranean Diet that has been getting a lot of positive reviews lately. It is not a diet that one would immediately try, like a detox or cleansing diet. The Mediterranean Diet is not sexy, it is not complicated, it is not promoted by celebrities. No one is on tv hawking the Mediterranean Diet so chances are you may never have heard of it.
However it is one of the best diets for preventing disease and prolonging life. It can cut heart disease risk, beat type II diabetes, curb the effects of Alzhemer’s and fight allergies. Recent studies show it also has a great impact on cancer – reducing risk by up to 12% for certain behaviors found in the diet. It has health-boosting attributes that most diets claim but don’t fully deliver. While the specific element of the diet that causes these wonderful health benefits cannot be pinpointed, the overall effects of the diet are well documented.
What is the Mediterranean Diet?
- The traditional Mediterranean diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, and olive oil. It encourages moderate consumption of wine and also promotes moderate amounts of poultry and fish. Things like red meat and sweets are only to be eaten sparingly if at all.
- There is not a specific fat content to hit, the diet varies in the amount consumed from under 25% to over 35% of total calories.
- The Mediterranean Diet focuses on eating foods that are not processed or at the very least minimally processed foods. Seasonal produce is encouraged.
- The traditional Mediterranean Diet is a lifestyle of the people that live in the region. Much of the diet revolved around the way the people take time to prepare the food and then enjoy it as a celebration. This one diet tip of enjoying your food is common in many other dieting philosophies but is prominent among the healthy and fit people living in the Mediterranean.
Who should try the Mediterranean Diet?
The Mediterranean Diet is a good match for people who would like to live this lifestyle of preparing and enjoying fresh, unprocessed foods. It is also a great match for people who like to enjoy a glass of wine daily and those who love seafood. It is great for anyone looking to lower the risk for heart disease, cancer, or other diseases.