What is the Mediterranean Diet?

Western society is striving more and more to change dietary habits. In doing so many people have adopted a cooking style and dining style geared more toward the Mediterranean Diet. What is the Mediterranean diet you might ask? Where there is not specifically one main Mediterranean diet, the concept of the diet is more a less a diet that is high in fresh fish and olive oil, fresh fruits and fresh vegetables. This article reviews the Mediterranean diet and recipe suggestions for this specific type of diet.

The primary goal of the Mediterranean diet is in having a diet that is high in dietary fiber and monounsaturated fat. By eating lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, fish high in Omega 3, and using olive oil, we are lowering cholesterol, adding fiber to our diets, and assisting in our cardiovascular health. Imagine adding exercise to this and we see how much better our life becomes by a simple dietary change.

Chances are most people eat a lot of the things encompassed in the Mediterranean diet and may need to make only simple changes, or simply modify buying habits. Choosing olive oil over other cooking oils and salad oils is one such change. Eating fish over red meat, and fresh fruits and vegetables in lieu of processed foods and snacks makes all the difference in the world.

If you have ever visited the area of the Mediterranean you will quickly see why the diet, or type of diets have been named the Mediterranean diet. Clearly since that area is so large it's easy to understand that it is not one specific diet, but the diet of the entire region. In an area rich with olives and fresh fish, fruit and vegetables, it is reasonable that the diet would encompass such.

Examples of food items that would be in sample meals of the Mediterranean diet include fresh fish, poultry, and very little red meat. Large amounts of fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, potatoes, cereal, and even bread are included. Olive oil is a major part of the diet as it is an incredible monounsaturated fat source and is high in antioxidants. In addition wine is also moderately consumed as part of the Mediterranean diet.

You can see how making moderate changes to your current diet can put you on the path to a more healthier diet by following the concept of the Mediterranean diet food styles. You will notice changes in your energy level, weight, as well as inches, when you modify your diet and start eating the foods eaten in the region that influence the Mediterranean diet.