Mediterranean Diet

In our daily life we see many people who are fat, overweight or obese. Even in one family, you can see fat and slim people. Researchers have found that several factors contribute to someone’s becoming overweight or obese. The major factors in every persons weight depends upon many aspects like, what you eat, level of physical activity, environment, cultural attitudes, local customs and financial situation. Heredity also determines the likelihood of peoples becoming overweight or obese. Hence, family history of being overweight or obese contributes towards tendency of putting on extra weight. Therefore, one may need to resort to some diet to reduce weight.

Mediterranean Diet
The Mediterranean diet is a modern nutritional diet which is inspired by the traditional dietary patterns of some of the countries of the Mediterranean, particularly Southern Italy, Cyprus, Greece, Portugal, Turkey and Spain. Americans discovered the so-called Mediterranean diet menu, which is inspired by good cooking. It is a matter of limiting the consumption of meats and relying on those foods which symbolize the healthy nutrition of the peoples of the Mediterranean. This diet recipe is base on high consumption of fruits, vegetables, wheat bread, cereals, and fish. This diet food is cooked with olive oil and also red wine. Many prominet nutritionists and researchers have recommended that this diet is one of the most healthful in the world in terms of preventing diseases like heart disease, and increasing life expectancy.

Researchers were impressed by the good health of people in the Mediterranean countries. They find out and suggested that the diet and lifestyles are major factors.

Mediterranean diet plan was was first publicized in 1945 by Doctor Ancel Keys, an American, but it failed to be recognized untill 1990. Mediterranean countries tend to consume relatively high amounts of fat, yet they have far lower rates of cardiovascular disease than USA. It is found that Americans use large amounts of animal fats, while people of Mediterranean countries use olive oil. Although Dietary factory also contributes to goo health, lifestyle and good environment contribute to health. Use of green vegetables which is a good source of calcium and iron are used in the Mediterranean diet. Sea has historically yielded abundant fish. Mediterranean cuisine is popular around the world for its flavors. Some researchers at Harvard, and the WHO collaborated and designed the Mediterranean Food Pyramid, which lists food groups and their recommended daily servings in the Mediterranean diet.

Bulk of Mediterranean diets comes from plant sources, including whole grains, breads, pasta, bulgur and couscous, rice, potatoes, fruits, vegetables, seeds, and nuts. Olive oil is used generously, and is the main source of fat in the diet as well as the principal cooking oil. Fruits and vegetables are eaten in large quantities. They are usually fresh, unprocessed and grown locally. Dairy products are consumed in small amounts daily, mainly as cheese and yogurt. Eggs are used sparingly, up to four eggs per week.

Fish and poultry are consumed only one to three times per week. Red meat is consumed only a few times per month.

Honey is the principle sweetener, and sweets are eaten only a few times per week. Wine is consumed in moderate amounts with meals.

Many Mediterranean diet cookbooks are available that can help preparing meals. A good first step is eliminating all oils, butter, and margarine and replacing them with olive oil. Meals should always be accompanied with bread and salads. Mediterranean fruits and vegetables are generally fresh and high in quality. The dairy products that are used should be yogurt and cheese instead of milk. Getting plenty of physical exercise is important to reduce stress. The diet allows generous quantities of olive oil, but consumers may have to significantly reduce fat intake.

Experts recommend the Mediterranean diet as a preventive diet for heart diseases, strokes, and over all improvement of general health. The diet offers foods that are good to taste, economical, and easy to prepare. Majority of people are familiar with this diet while purchasing, preparing, and eating Mediterranean foods.

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