Mediterranean Diet Review

An American doctor stationed in southern Italy first publicized a "Mediterranean Diet" in the 1940s, his observations primarily based on the eating patterns in southern Italy and Greece. Of interest was the fact that though the diets there contained high levels of fats, the people seemed to have low levels of cardiovascular disease. But in the last 20 years or so, the Mediterranean diet has grown increasingly popular outside of the Mediterranean region - due to published studies which clearly indicate that people sticking to the principles of the diet lowered their risk of both heart disease and cancer. The Mediterranean diet has been linked unequivocally with lower levels of LDL cholesterol — the "bad" one, which clogs and blocks the arteries. (HDL is the good one.) The key here is the types of fats found in the foods which are the basis of a Mediterranean diet - mononunsaturated, polyunsaturated and fatty acids like omega-3. These fats actually lower triglyceride levels and improve heart health. The fats found in foods which are more common in an American diet are saturated fat and trans-fatty acids, both of which are known factors in the development of high cholesterol and heart disease.

So there is no one, real "Mediterranean" diet, and even the most cursory research will turn up scores of variations on the theme - The Sonoma Diet, The Miami Mediterranean Diet, etc. More than a dozen countries border the Mediterranean Sea, and obviously diets will vary due to differences in culture, ethnicity, religion, economy, farming and agriculture. Still, the fundamentals of a Mediterranean diet are the same, and they include: fish, fruits, vegetables, whole grain breads (no butter or margarine with that!) and pastas, potatoes, beans, nuts and seeds olive oil , moderate amount of dairy and poultry, moderate amount of eggs , moderate amount of wine (preferably red), small amount of red meat.

So how does it stack up for weight loss? Great. It's healthy, natural and above all, balanced. Furthermore, it can be absolutely delicious as well - if you're unfamiliar or uncomfortable with cooking there are dozens of cookbooks and magazines dedicated solely to Mediterranean cuisine, as well as limitless resources for recipes online. Watch your portion size and you'll do your body good.