The Mediterranean Food Diet

The Mediterranean food diet plan is essentially a semi-vegetarian plan. The main sources of daily food center on a wide variety of plant based foods which are grown mostly in local communities and free of pesticides and other chemicals. The emphasis is on unprocessed foods and a limited intake of saturated fat and sugar.

This may seem very strict when you first look at it, especially when you consider that red meat is eaten in very limited portions and fish is the main source of protein. Yet, there are such a huge variety of foods that are consumed regularly that many people are able to follow the plan without feeling deprived.

The Mediterranean food diet does not completely eliminate any source of meat, but it does caution against eating red meats that are high in saturated fat. The fact that the people who live in the Mediterranean limit this type of fat is the main reason they have a longer life span, look younger than people in other regions of the world, and have much lower rates of heart disease and cancer.

The main source of fat on this diet is from olive oil. This is a heart friendly fat source that does not clog the arteries like the saturated fat found in other types of oil, red meats, and many processed foods.

Fresh fruits and vegetables are a staple in this diet. They are preferred over any type of processed, pre-packaged food and are combined with olive oil and fresh herbs to make delicious meals.

You don't have to be a vegetarian to benefit from the Mediterranean food diet plan. Cutting back on red meat and eating more fish and fresh produce may seem like a hard way to go, but it remains one of the fastest and most cost effective ways to lose weight, lower cholesterol, reduce your risk of diabetes, and keep your body healthy and vibrant for years to come.