DIETS

MEDITERRANEAN DIET

Information: diet issues. The Mediterranean diet is a collection of eating habits that are traditionally followed by the people of the Mediterranean region.

The Mediterranean diet has attracted interest due to the traditionally lower rates of diet-related disease (e.g. heart disease and cancer) within the region.

Mediterranean Diet Plan Basics for weight loss

1. Heavily Dependent on Plant Foods.
2. Low in Saturated Fat - Rich in Monounsaturated Fat.
3. Low to Moderate Consumption of Dairy Products.
4. Limited Consumption of Fish, Poultry and Red Meat.
5. Moderate Consumption of Wine With Meals.
6. Emphasis on food from plant sources, including fruits and vegetables, potatoes, breads and grains, beans, nuts, and seeds. Emphasis on a variety of minimally processed and, wherever possible, seasonally fresh and locally grown foods.
7. Olive oil as the principal fat. Almost no butter, margarine, or other fats. No trans-fats or hydrogenated fats.
8. Total fat contributing 25-35 percent of calories - saturated fat no more than 8 percent of calories.
9. Daily consumption of low to moderate amounts of cheese and yogurt. Frequently from goats and sheep - even camels.
10. Regular consumption of small amounts of fish and poultry.
11. Fresh fruit as the typical daily dessert.
12. Very small amounts of red meat, eaten occasionally.
13. Moderate consumption of wine with meals; about one to two glasses per day for men and one glass per day for women.

Other Important Elements

To the above diet food guidelines must be added three very important non-food elements.

1. Sunshine.
2. Regular Physical Exercise.
3. Reduced stress.

WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAMS SHOPPING