The Mediterranean diet has gained popularity in recent years due to its health benefits, which include reducing disease risk and prolonging life. However, many people misunderstand what this diet entails. While it may seem like a meat-focused diet, it’s actually much more than that.
With countries such as Israel, Italy, Greece, Spain, and France surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, each with their unique cuisine, the definition of a Mediterranean diet can be quite confusing. But fear not! A typical Mediterranean diet includes a variety of fresh vegetables and fruits, especially tomatoes. It also features lots of fish instead of other meats and a daily cup of Edom. Other staples include high-quality olive oil and olives, yogurt, bananas, hard cheeses, but relatively few dairy products. Finally, the use of natural raw materials with almost no processed foods is key to this diet.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition sheds light on the importance of paying attention to small details when following a specific diet. In this study, 400 people were divided into two groups: one group was given the rules of the Mediterranean diet and told to eat according to those rules as much as they wanted while the other group was given a Mediterranean menu with restricted calories. After one year, the group on the restricted calorie diet experienced weight loss