We live in times where diets are some of the biggest fads. As the many diet ideas are published in books and articles, researchers
have begun profiling people from various parts of the world to analyze their diets and their relationship to the health and overall lifestyle
of the people. This is how we come across the "Mediterranean Diet". In a nutshell, the Mediterranean diet is named after
the region is it most prevalent in and is low in meat and dairy products, but high in fruits, whole grains, beans nuts and seeds,
and fish. Olive oil is the key fat component of the Mediterranean diet.
The Mediterranean region is quite diverse when it comes to its people, the cultures, the food and the weather. The Mediterranean diet
was formulated by studying the eating habits of people in parts of southern Italy (Sicily), Tunisia and Greece. The studies found higher life expectency and
a much lower incidence of chronic diseases in people who ate what could be considered as traditional Mediterranean food.
Research reports from the Journal of the American Medical Association have found that amongst individuals aged 70 to 90 years, those
following a Mediterranean diet and active lifestyle have a more than 50% lower rate of all causes of an instances of chronic diseases.
The traditional food of the Mediteranean people is based on the livestock, fishing and agriculture of their region. The mild climate
ensures that they have a long growing season, yielding an abundance of fruits and vegetables. Breads, pasta, rice, potatoes, and whole
grains form the basis of the diet. Next in line are fruits, vegetables and legumes followed by what surprises most conventional dieters - olive
oil. The other parts of the mediterranean diet include fish/seafood, cheese/milk products, poultry, eggs and red meat. And lastly
we have the daily indulgence of wine!
If we dig deeper into this diet, we find that it is high in many nutrients that are proclaimed to be good for us. Fresh fruits and
vegetables provide abundant vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants while the grains provide essential carbohydrates. Olive oil is the
principle fat, replacing the much maligned animal fats. Olive oil is also full of antioxidants and monosaturated fatty acids and
can constitute as much as 25%-30% of total daily caloric intake. Eating fresh fish and seafood benefits the Mediterranean people
by providing them with a healty source of protein and HDL (good cholesterol) friendly Omega-3 fatty acids.
Most cheeses made in the region use sheep's milk and are generally lower in cholesterol than those made from cow's milk. Red meat
is only consumed a few times per month and therefore keeps the intake of animal based saturated fat to a minimum. The final part of the
Mediterranean diet has nothing to do with what you eat, but has everything to do with how you live your life. Physical exercise and
an active lifestyle are just as key an ingredient for the Mediterraneans, as is olive oil.
