The Mediterranean
Diet Menu
The Mediterranean Diet menu is not a diet per se, but a healthy way of eating that cultures throughout the Mediterranean have been following for centuries. The Mediterranean diet or perhaps more eloquently put, Mediterranean cuisine will help you live a longer and happier life. This is not some rigid diet plan but more a pleasurable way of eating that focuses on eating whole grains, plenty of fruits and vegetables and healthier fats.
The Mediterranean Diet plan is based on the lifestyle and healthy eating habits of people that live in Italy, Spain and Greece in particular the island of Crete. Looking back just a few decades, the people in these countries had the longest life expectancy of adults in the world. By following the simple Mediterranean Diet they had the lowest incidence of certain diseases and cancers of any population in the world.
What is the Mediterranean Diet?
Many believe The Mediterranean Diet Food Pyramid is a step up from some other diet pyramids. Here are some differences that make up The Mediterranean Diet Pyramid.
• The Mediterranean Diet food pyramid starts with red meat at the peak, this is the top source of animal protein and it is the least consumed food in the Mediterranean Diet pyramid.
• The next level is eggs, fish and poultry these are the more common sources of animal proteins that are consumed. • The third level is dairy products such as milk, cheese and yogurt.
• The next level is fruits, veggies, legumes, beans and nuts. Fruits and veggies are eaten in wide variety and they are eaten either lightly cooked or raw.
• The bottom level in the Mediterranean Diet pyramid we find the breads, pastas, rice, couscous and polenta. The difference between the American diet and the Mediterranean diet menu is these are whole grains, and are preservative free. The Mediterranean Diet pyramid uses foods that have little to no processing. This allows the food to retain nutritional value and fiber density.
• The main source of fat in the Mediterranean Diet pyramid is olive oil. Olive oil gives food a nice distinctive full flavor. Plus olive oil is loaded with antioxidants which offer many health benefits.
Another big difference between the American way of eating and the Medi
terranean Diet pyramid is that it does not give serving recommendations. The pyramid is more a snapshot guide of the foods that are important.The Mediterranean pyramid stresses the importance of quality of food not quantity as well as recipes for Mediterranean Diet.
The Mediterranean Diet menu provides a beautiful blend of a plant based diet that is decorated with dairy products and animal proteins. Researchers are convinced that having this type of lifestyle and eating according to the Mediterranean Diet is the secret to optimal healthy.
When following the Mediterranean Diet results have shown a reduced risk of heart attack and stroke, reduced bad cholesterol (LDL), while increasing good cholesterol (HDL), and lowering the risk of high blood pressure.
The traditional Mediterranean Diet includes the healthy living habits of people from countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. Once you experience the delicious and healthy abundance of foods the Mediterranean diet has to offer, it just might become your preferred diet of choice.
So pick up your wine class and toast to what the Mediterranean diet menu has to offer. Whoops, what the Mediterranean Cuisine has to offer!
