I Need To Lose Weight: Tell Me About The Magic Of The Mediterranean Diet

What is so amazing about the highly acclaimed Mediterranean diet? And how does it differ from a low fat diet? To address the latter, the Mediterranean diet is not simply a low fat diet, at least not low fat in the sense of healthy fats, such as the monounsaturated fats in pure olive oil. Abundant fruits and vegetables, dairy products, some fish and poultry, eggs, and a little (but precious) red meat and red wine create the heart of this diet, with olive oil as the principal source of fat.

In fact, the total fat of this diet is estimated to make up about 25-35% of the calories (although only 8% or, ideally, less should be saturated fat). And finally, it is not really a diet, because it is not a fad and it is not a phase. It is quite simply a lifestyle, successfully followed by numerous countries for numerous generations.

Furthermore, since the food is rich in protein and whole grains instead of starches and sugars, it fills you up faster while providing all essential nutrients, so you will rely on smaller portions. This will also help you to achieve permanent weight loss! A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine compared the health and weight loss effects of the low carb, the low fat, and the Mediterranean diets. The Mediterranean was more fat trimming than the low fat diet, and was healthier than the low carb diet.

The positive effects of such a diet, primarily when paired with healthy doses of regular exercise, are many, including decreased rates of many diseases and premature mortality! Its ingredients are almost always composed of heart healthy good fats and antioxidants. This diet reduces the risk of heart disease, diabetes, LDL cholesterol, Parkinsons disease, Alzheimers, and even some cancers. According to a ten year study in the Journal of American Medical Association, adherence to a Mediterranean diet and a healthy active lifestyle could lower early death rates by as much as 50%!

The original diet was discovered after the end of WWII and the civil war in Greece, when foreign scientists and nutritionists flocked to the country to help the people, including the 1950s landmark Seven Countries Study. They were stunned to find that not only were the natives not starving, they were healthier than ever before, thanks to a sparse but extremely healthful diet of monounsaturated fats, plentiful vegetables, and a little protein.

So next time you go hunting, foraging, or grocery shopping, reach for the vegetables and legumes first. Eat lots of whole fruit. Go a little nutty. Choose rich whole grains. Be eclectic with the fats. Spice it up and explore with a myriad of herbs. And, if you are inclined, savor a glass of that delicious red wine.

Just remember, you are what you eat. If you are desperate to lose weight, have a good look at the Mediterranean diet which is not really a diet at all but a healthy way of eating.