Go Greek: Health Secrets of the Mediterranean Diet

Looking to improve your overall health? Then the Mediterranean Diet may be for you! Based on the traditional eating practices of people living in countries around the Mediterranean Sea (Greece in particular), the diet includes high amounts of fiber, low amounts of fat, a small amount of trans fats, and moderate consumption of alcohol.

One of the Mediterranean Diet’s staple ingredients is virgin (or extra-virgin) olive oil, which is high in mono-saturated fats that are good for the body (as opposed to saturated fats, which have been linked to elevated cholesterol levels—in turn leading to the development of heart disease and other health conditions).  In the diet, virgin olive oil is used in numerous ways—drizzled over bruschetta, mixed into salad dressings, and used in cooking in place of other oils.

Other important parts of the Mediterranean Diet include frequent consumption of fruits, vegetables, nuts (walnuts, almonds, and pecans in particular), breads and other grains (including cereals, pasta, and rice), beans, and potatoes. Eggs are limited (less than four a week), and dairy products, poultry and fish are also eaten in small quantities.

Studies indicate that virgin olive oil may help diabetics maintain proper levels of insulin in their bloodstreams better than the monitoring of carbohydrate intake. Additional research has linked the diet to a lower risk of heart disease and increased longevity.

New research has shown that following the Mediterranean diet may reduce the risk of diabetes. In a study published in the British Medical Journal, the health of over 13,000 Spaniards who ate a Mediterranean-style diet was followed and noted. A significant number of participants had risk factors for the development of diabetes, but didn’t develop the disease—leading researchers to believe that the Mediterranean diet had a profound affect on their health.

Give the Mediterranean Diet a try—the only things you have to lose are unhealthy eating habits! Look for more information on the Internet or visit your local bookstore for more information and recipes that will help you embrace the Mediterranean way of eating and cooking.