Diet mediterranean
Recipes of the Mediterranean diet: The Mediterranean diet is a kind of modern nutritional model that got its inspiration from the traditional dietary patterns of some of the countries in the Mediterranean basin, particularly Greece, Southern Italy, Portugal, Cyprus, Spain, and Turkey. There is no single “Mediterranean” diet, as there are approximately 16 countries that border the Mediterranean Sea. The diets vary between these countries and also between the regions within each country. The different diets are the result of the various ethnic backgrounds, culture, economy, cooking styles, and agricultural production.
Mediterranean-style diets are close to the dietary recommendations of the American Heart Association, but are not followed exactly. In general, the traditional Mediterranean diet consumed by the people of the region contains a high percentage of calories from fat. There are several websites on the Internet where you can find the recipes of the Mediterranean diet. Besides the recipes, you can also get a lot of information about the Mediterranean diet and its popularity.
Food in the Mediterranean diet: The main factor in the appeal of the Mediterranean diet is the full flavored and rich food. Hydrogenated oils and margarine are considered to be bland and lack the flavor that olive oil imparts to food items. It is not easy to understand and define the Mediterranean nutrition and diet. The traditional diets in southern Italy and Greece have been studied extensively over the past few years. This is because of the low incidence of chronic diseases and rates of high life expectancy that is attributed the traditional food in the Mediterranean diet. As much as 40% of total daily calories from fat is delivered by this diet, yet there has been a significant decrease in the incidences of cardiovascular diseases. This is because olive oil is a monounsaturated fatty acid, and does not have the same effect of raising cholesterol levels, compared to saturated fats. It is also a good source of antioxidants. The people of Mediterranean benefit a lot by eating fish, which they consume several times in a week. This increases the amount of omega-3 fatty acids. The consumption of red meat is also beneficial to health. According to a general consensus among health professionals, the Mediterranean diet is healthier than the American or North European diet due to the consumption of vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes, olive oil, and grain-based food like spaghetti.
Mediterranean diet pyramid: The traditional Mediterranean diet pyramid is based on the healthy eating habits of the people who live in the Greek island of Crete, southern Italy and other areas in Greece in the early 1960s. The life expectancy of adults in these areas at that time was among the longest in the world. Plus, the incidence of certain cancers, heart disease, and other health problems was among the lowest.
According to researchers, the lifestyle and diet of the region were the key factors of the good health. Mediterranean diet pyramid is a blend of plant-based foods, along with dairy products, meat, and other food items that are typically found in the classic USDA Food Guide Pyramid. The serving sizes for each food group are intentionally absent. Rather, the pyramid is designed to be a visual snapshot of the importance of these food items in the diet, and not a strict eating plan. It is geared towards healthy adults. However, before making any dietary changes it is important to consult your health care professional.
New Mediterranean diet: To stay healthy and ward off diseases, Mediterranean nutritionists recommend exercising regularly, drinking six glasses of water per day, and consuming moderate amounts of wine. Purple grape juice is recommended for those who do not consume alcohol, as it has the same health benefits for the heart. For more information on the new Mediterranean diet plans and the Miami Mediterranean diet, you can visit various sites on the Internet. Besides the Mediterranean diet plans, you can also get details on the new researches that have been conducted on this diet and download a copy of it. You can also plan a menu, based on the food items in the diet.