If you are someone who is looking for a solid diet plan, you
might feel overwhelmed most of the time. In the 21st century, it is almost
impossible for a person to turn on the television or open a newspaper without
being bombarded with advertisements for all kinds of diet plans and products.
With so many diet plans, programs, supplements, and aids on
the market, it seem almost impossible to choose a diet plan that will work and
best suit your needs now and in the future. More importantly, it can be
difficult to know if any of the different diet plans are actually a healthy
course. Often, fad diets are not actually based on the foundations of a healthy
lifestyle. As you continue to consider what type of diet plan or regimen will
best serve your interests and improve your future health, you will want to look
into the benefits that can be gained from the Mediterranean diet.
Do you know that Mediterranean diet has been considered a popular diet of 2022?
Why
Mediterranean diet?
While there are many reasons why the Mediterranean diet is a
healthy approach, there are five main reasons why the Mediterranean diet is a
good choice.
Benefits of fruits,
vegetables, fiber, and whole grains
A large part of the Mediterranean diet includes regular
consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables. Doctors and nutritionists generally
agree that a person should eat five to six servings of fresh fruits and
vegetables (or steamed meals) per day. People who follow a Mediterranean diet
end up eating more than the minimum recommended amount of fruits and
vegetables. As a result, nutritionists in various parts of the world recommend
a Mediterranean-based diet regimen to their clients. Likewise, doctors today
who consult with their patients about healthy
eating habits often recommend their own Mediterranean diet.
In addition to fruits and vegetables, the Mediterranean diet
includes a healthy amount of fiber and whole grains. Fiber and whole grains
have been shown to reduce the incidence of heart disease and some types of
cancer.
Benefits of olive oil
– avoiding saturated fat
Some people have basic misconceptions about the
Mediterranean diet. These people have heard that the Mediterranean diet is high
in fat. On some level, there is some truth to the idea that the Mediterranean
diet is higher in fat than other diets. A person following a Mediterranean diet
gets about thirty percent of their daily calories from fat. (Most diets
recommend consuming calories from fat at a rate of thirteen to fifteen percent
per day. However, these diets consider the consumption of animal fat.)
Most of the fat a person consumes in the Mediterranean diet
comes from olive oil. In other words, the fat found in the Mediterranean diet
is not the dangerous saturated fat that can cause disease, obesity, and other
health problems. In fact, research has shown that consuming olive oil has many
solid benefits, including reducing the risk of breast cancer in
women.
Milk in moderation
While moderate consumption of low-fat or non-fat dairy
products can be beneficial in some cases, many people around the world rely on
full-fat cream, eggs, and other dairy products in their daily diet. The
Mediterranean diet is low in dairy. In fact, all dairy products that are
actually included in the diet regimen are low in fat. A person is considered a
very heavy egg eater if they eat four eggs a week.
Red meat in
moderation
Very little red meat is included in the Mediterranean diet.
When it comes to meat, this diet relies on a fair amount of lean chicken and
fresh fish. As a result, people who follow a Mediterranean diet plan have lower
levels of "bad" cholesterol and higher levels of "good
cholesterol."
In addition, by including lean fresh fish in the diet,
followers of the Mediterranean diet take advantage of the antioxidant benefits
found in some fish oils and products.
A well-balanced diet
plan
In the final analysis, the Mediterranean diet has received
praise from experts and followers worldwide because it is a balanced diet
program. Study shows that a balanced diet low in fat and including fruits,
vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats ensures overall health and well-being.
Conclusion
The Mediterranean diet is a comprehensive regimen for
healthy living. By following the strict rules of the Mediterranean diet, one
can enjoy better health, a reduced risk of certain diseases, and in many cases,
a long life.