Improve Your Health And Lose Weight By Following The Mediterranean Diet

Jun 04, 2018

You've probably heard of the Mediterranean diet before - but what exactly is it? Eating a Mediterranean diet means eating like the people who live around the Mediterranean Sea, especially those in Greece and Italy. While people in the Mediterranean area eat a little differently from region to region, their dietary habits are fairly similar overall. The hallmarks of a Mediterranean diet are plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats such as olive oil, legumes, and fish. 

The Mediterranean diet isn't just delicious - it's also great for your health. In fact, the U.S. News and World Report ranked the Mediterranean diet as one of the best diets to try in 2018. If you want to improve your heart health and drop a few extra pounds, the Mediterranean diet could be exactly what you need to reach your goals. 

So what exactly makes the Mediterranean diet so good for you? Here are a few reasons why this diet will benefit your overall health, not just your waistline. 

1. Following a Mediterranean diet means eating lots of fresh produce: Everyone knows that fruits and vegetables are healthy, but how many people following the standard American diet actually get five servings of produce a day? Eating Mediterranean-style will help you work more fruits and veggies into your meals easily. 

2. It's easy to eat the right amount - without counting calories: It's hard to overeat on fresh leafy greens, whole grains, beans, and other staples of the Mediterranean diet. This means you can actually eat until you're full, instead of worrying about every single calorie you consume. 

3. Healthy fats are allowed: You can eat nuts and olive oil on the Mediterranean diet, both of which are delicious and help you stay full for a long time after meals. 

4. The Mediterranean diet is simple: Forget about standing over a stove for hours. On the Mediterranean diet, making dinner is often as easy as putting together a salad with some fresh, high-quality ingredients.

If you're new to the Mediterranean diet, start by incorporating the following foods into your everyday meals: 

• Fresh vegetables & fruits
• Whole wheat bread
• Olive oil
• Nuts and seeds
• Herbs and spices
• Beans and legumes
• Plenty of water

Could the Mediterranean diet be right for you? Talk to your doctor or dietitian if you're interested in giving it a try! Show this article to your family and friends so they can improve their health through the Mediterranean diet, too. 

Our content is created to the best of our knowledge, yet it is of general nature and cannot in any way substitute an individual consultation with your doctor. Your health is important to us!