|

Author:
Kevin Stith

The remarkable health of the people from the Mediterranean region has always been a wonder to researchers. The people in the Mediterranean region are known to have a very active life style. Of course physical activities is essential for good health, but good health is based on food habits as well. In other words, the Mediterranean diet is a healthy diet rich in plant food; especially grains, cereals, vegetables, fruit, nuts, legumes and olives. All ensure good health with less chance to develop heart disease.

The Mediterranean diet includes all kinds of foods that are recommended on a normal, low to moderate basis. This method is explained on the traditional Mediterranean diet pyramid. The pyramid has classified various foods depending on their nutritional and lists whether a food is to be eaten daily, a few days a week or a few times a month.

The food consumed on a day-to-day basis contains cereals, vegetables, bread, beans, potatoes, leafy vegetables and other plant products. Interestingly, nuts rich in essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals are also included in the daily diet. The diet does not encourage too much processing of food, as it can deprive the nutritious value of the food. For instance, over cooked vegetables are only good as roughage(it contains fibers), as it loses essential vitamins in the cooking process. The food is cooked, garnished or dressed in olive oil, a rich source of low saturated fat. It is consumed moderately and is known to play a vital role in preventing heart diseases.

Milk and milk products such as cheese and yogurt are consumed daily on a low to moderate amount. But butter, high in saturated fat is a total no-no in the Mediterranean diet's recommended food list. Wine is allowed daily on a moderate basis.

Food from animals especially chicken, eggs, and seafood are allowed weekly on the Mediterranean diet. For instance, eggs are consumed four days a week. But red meat, high in saturated fat, is a part of the diet only few times a month. The diet recommends veal and lamb to beef because the fat content is comparatively lower than in beef. The meat is cleaned of visible fat and is often roasted or grilled. Sweets and desserts are also a part of the weekly diet. The most preferred dessert is fruit.

In summary, food in the Mediterranean diet provides fibers(from mainly vegetables and fruit), good fat(olive oil), nutrition, vitamins, minerals, proteins, and essential acids, necessary for a human body to stay fit evading heart diseases and cancers.

Mediterranean Diets provides detailed information about Mediterranean diets, Mediterranean diet benefits, Mediterranean diet cook books and more. Mediterranean Diets is affiliated with Mangosteen Fruit.

| Article Keywords: Healthy Diets

A Quick Note From The Publisher... If you like the article above, you may be interested in the following article which is also related to Healthy Diets... Modified Mediterranean Diet The Mediterranean diet has been identified as the secret of greater life expectancy among the people of the Mediterranean region. Mediterranean cuisines are a combination of vegetables, nuts, fruit, legumes and beans cooked in olive oil, with a moderate intake of dairy products and red wine. They consume very small quantities of animal fat, meat and sugar in their diet, on a weekly or monthly basis. This nourishing balanced diet along with an active life style help prevent some of the chronic diseases of the heart, as well as cancer, diabetes and gallstones. Researchers have identified the traditional Mediterranean as a healthy diet compared diets rich in animal fats and products. Americans and Europeans consume poultry, eggs and red meat cooked in animal fat such as butter or margarine that are a rich source of saturated fat. The intake of such food with little or no fiber, deficient in essential vitamins, minerals and nutrition vital to the human body, runs the risk of these people developing obesity, various types of cancers, heart diseases and a shortened life span. The Mediterranean diet was thus modified for the wider population. In fact, the modified Mediterranean diet is an anti-aging diet, designed to improve the life expectancy of older people. The diet is not a part of any weight loss program, but a healthy diet combined with an active lifestyle are encouraged. The diet recommends a daily serving of vegetables, fruit, legumes, beans and cereals with low amount of milk, yogurt and cheese. The food should be cooked, garnished or dressed with olive oil(a low saturated fat and anti-oxidant). Poultry and meat should be consumed occasionally. In fact, the Mediterranean diet recommends the intake of oily fish to poultry, as it is a good source of protein and...