While most people don’t realize that the Mediterranean as a particularly healthy place, it does have some of the oldest people alive living there. It also has some of the highest rates of happiness, lowest rates of disease, and a vibrant culture that makes it appealing to travelers. It is these things that have led researchers to look into the Mediterranean diet to see why everyone was living so long and being so happy. Amazingly, the introduction of more modern diets has helped them completely pinpoint what was working and how to prevent the damage of modern diets as well.
The first premise of the diet is to eat what you want as long as it falls within the categories that traditional Mediterranean meals contained. This means olive oil, wine, nuts, grains, fruits, vegetables, pasta, and rice are all in high demand. On the other hand, red meat is not very common and seafood is the most common protein source outside of vegetables.
Adjusting to the diet can be tough, but traditional recipes made with fresh ingredients will often make it much easier. This is because the fresh taste and smell of these foods go together to stimulate your appetite and make eating a pleasant process. There are a huge number of diet friendly recipes available online, and picking a group on 10 to 30 recipes to start out the diet is a good idea to ease yourself into the lifestyle changes it will be introducing.
Every day you should be getting about nine servings of vegetables and fruits, filling the rest of the day with whole gains, non-trans fat oils, and snacks like nuts. This will keep you full without feeling bloated and will ensure that you start to see the benefits of the diet within just a few days.
The best thing about this diet is that it helps keep your heart healthy. While this may not seem like a big deal, it is that heart health this is responsible for the longevity of people living in the region. Their arteries are healthier, they don’t have heart attacks, and they live longer because their bodies aren’t struggling. For this reason, doctors often recommend this diet to patients who are struggling with their heart health.
This is also one of the only diets that allow the drinking of alcohol as a matter of course. This is because red wine is full of anti-oxidants which keep the cells in your body younger and in better shape. You still have to be careful not to go overboard, but it isn’t as restrictive as other diets.
Once you get used to the Mediterranean Diet it is easy to see how people can live that way for their entire lives. You feel happier, you feel like you are eating better, and you feel like you aren’t limited at all. In a world where there are so many options, feeling like you have it all is one of the best feelings around.