Our mission is to ensure our readers have access to the best resources and easiest way to adopt healthy habits that last a lifetime.
Are you passionate about nutrition? Or do you have an inspiring story or yummy recipes that would help others make mindful choices? We'd love to hear from you! Bring your contributions to light by sending us an email at [email protected].
You are the universe and with us, your voice will matter!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drink alcohol on a Mediterranean diet?
Yes, you can enjoy moderate alcohol consumption as part of the Mediterranean Diet. You should limit your drinking to just one glass per day for men and 1 glass for women. Drinks suitable for this include dry wines and beer as well as spirits made with natural ingredients like vodka, whiskey, or Gin. Because of their high sugar content, avoid heavy spirits like cocktails. Additionally, incorporating daily doses of fluids such as water or herbal teas can keep the body hydrated and help reduce cravings for sugary drinks!
Is the Mediterranean Diet gluten-free possible?
Yes, the Mediterranean diet can be modified to be gluten-free. Rather than using whole-grain sources of carbohydrates such as wheat or barley, gluten-free grains such as millet and quinoa can be incorporated into meals. Additionally, fruits like melon and pears, fresh vegetables, legumes, nuts, and seeds are naturally gluten-free options that should feature heavily in this diet. Individuals who are allergic to dairy and milk may find it beneficial to choose lactose-free options for protein. You might also consider making porridge as an alternative to oats, eating baked salmon with potatoes, or bean soup for lunch, and roasting vegetables with herbs as dinner.
Is it possible to use extra virgin olive oil in place of regular olive oil?
Extra virgin olive oil is not recommended for Mediterranean cuisine. Regular olive oil can be used in place of extra virgin. Extra Virgin Olive Oil or EVOO is preferred because it has more nutritional benefits and a richer flavor. Regular olive oils, however, are still an option. They have a milder flavor profile. Regular olive oils are great for everyday meals like roasting vegetables or making stir-fry dishes. This olive oil has a lower price than EVOO. However, some believe that it is better suited for higher heat applications like deep frying. However, remember that it does not contain the same nutrients or positive compounds as EVOO, so try to make up for these benefits in other parts of your diet whenever possible.
Is Banana allowed in the Mediterranean diet?
Yes, bananas are permitted on the Mediterranean diet. Bananas can be a healthy, low-calorie, nutritious fruit that provides vitamin B6 and potassium. As a healthy side dish, it can be incorporated into meals by adding sliced or mashed bananas to porridge, smoothies, salads, or even sweet potatoes. For added protein, you can enjoy it as a snack with nuts butter like peanut or almond. To improve digestion and promote hunger when eating, you may want to pair bananas with nuts and seeds.
How do I start the Mediterranean diet
You can start the Mediterranean diet by stocking your kitchen and pantry with fresh produce, such as fruits or vegetables. This could include preparing various vegetables and proteins every week that can be used in recipes throughout the following days. Quinoa, oat groats, and millet can be substituted for refined grains. Healthy fats such as olive and sesame should also be included in meal prep to add flavor and nutrition to dishes. Garlic, oregano or basil, turmeric and other seasonings are excellent additions to meals.
Are the Mediterranean diets primarily plant-based?
Yes, the Mediterranean Diet has a large portion of its diet being plant-based. This ancient diet is primarily plant-based, including fruits, vegetables, legumes and nuts. However, animal proteins such as poultry, fish, and red meat are also present in smaller portions due to their traceable presence around the Mediterranean Sea historically. For those who choose to live a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle, these protein sources may be avoided. Other dairy sources such as soy yogurt and tofu are great options for extra nutrition and proteins.
Statistics
- Other components in tomatoes may help reduce the risk of blood clots, thereby protecting against cardiovascular disease, according to a March 2019 review in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. (everydayhealth.com)
- In one study, the healthiest eaters at age 50 had a nearly 90% lower risk of dementia than those with the least healthy diets. (heart.org)
- One small study suggested that swapping one-half of your serving of a high-glycemic starch (like rice) with lentils helps lower the glycemic response by 20 percent. (everydayhealth.com)
- The Mediterranean Diet group had a 30% lower relative risk of cardiovascular events compared to the low-fat diet group. (my.clevelandclinic.org)
External Links
[TAG59]
- The Mediterranean Diet: An Environment-Driven Food Culture and Emerging Medical Prescription – PMC
- Definition of Mediterranean Diet. A Literature Review. PMC
[TAG62]
- Mediterranean Diet Beginner's Guide: Ranked #1 Best Diet in 2023 | U.S. News
- The Best Diets in 2023 – Expertly Reviewed by US News Health
[TAG65]
- (PDF). The Association Between Dietary Patterns AND Insulin Resistance: Systematic Review
- (PDF). Citrus as a Mediterranean Diet Component
[TAG68]
How To
How the Mediterranean Diet Helps You Lose Weight And Feel Great
The Mediterranean Diet is an eating pattern that emphasizes healthy fats, whole grains, legumes, and fresh fruits and vegetables. It has been shown to have many health benefits including improved blood cholesterol, glucose control, reduced chance of developing certain cancers, better heart health, cognitive function, and weight management. Adopting a Mediterranean diet can be made simpler with some tips. Start by switching high-calorie snack foods like chips to nutrient-dense veggies. Second, you can increase the variety of your diet by using spices and other sources made from fruits, vegetables, and nuts. To increase your satisfaction after meals, you can incorporate grains, legumes, high-fiber foods, and other high-fiber ingredients. Following these steps will help one enjoy their food while pursuing a healthier lifestyle and potentially additional health benefits such as a longer lifespan and higher quality of life.
Resources:
[TAG71]Craving the flavors of the Mediterranean without the jet lag? Join Ruben Dominguez live at the original Phoenicia on Westheimer, celebrating 40 years of |
[TAG72]In honor of the 75th anniversary of NYU Langone’s Rusk Rehabilitation, Dr. Steven R. Flanagan, chair of the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at NYU |
[TAG73]You should be eating a Mediterranean diet, and here’s why: |
[TAG74]How To Get Omega-3s Without Eating Fish or Seafood If you're allergic to fish, or just don't like fish, or if you are eating vegetarian, vegan, or plant-based, |
[TAG75]Shilpa Ravella, Assistant Professor of Medicine at Columbia University Medical Center, explains how a healthy diet, comprised of plants, whole grains, and |
[TAG76]The Mediterranean diet originates in the food cultures of ancient civilizations which developed around the Mediterranean Basin and is based on the regular |
[TAG77]Make Mediterranean Breakfast and enjoy your Italy tour. follow for more. #youtubeshorts #shorts #health |
[TAG78]Full day of Mediterranean food! #foodie #shorts #eating #greekfood #mediterranean #tzatziki #gyro |
[TAG79]Menopause 5 Foods to Help Relieve Symptoms |
[TAG80]This is what it is on the menu for The Modern Mediterranean Diet for this evening testing for Meals For Longevity. more comments coming soon... thank you |
[TAG81]Will a Mediterranean diet helps lose belly fat? #foodie #healthylifestyle #BellyFat |
[TAG82]This review of five human studies on the Mediterranean diet examines its effects on weight loss, various diseases, and the risk of death. |
[TAG83]HELPFUL TIP: How to make couscous fluffyYou can toss the uncooked couscous in a drizzle of olive oil before adding the liquid, which coats each grain in oil |
[TAG84]I might work as an author and teacher all about Greek and Mediterranean cuisine, but I’m also a mom (in fact, I consider this to be my most important job!), |
[TAG85]This spanakopita muffins recipe makes great use of a Greek classic spinach pie filling (minus the onions and/or scallions), but in this form the spinach-feta |
[TAG86]A simple and cozy fall family dinner, this Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup is filling and hearty making a perfect weeknight meal.The post Slow Cooker Chicken |
[TAG87]A weekly series where we share our family’s actual Mediterranean diet meal plan. The goal is to simply share meal and recipe ideas.The post Mediterranean Diet |
[TAG88]The Mediterranean diet has been linked to a number of health benefits, including reduced mortality risk and lower incidence of cardiovascular disease. |
[TAG89]This Mediterranean Diet inspired Fall Cheese Board is the perfect party appetizer, grazing meal or simply a qucik dinner all in one. The post Fall Cheese Board |
[TAG90]In Greece, there’s one ultimate sweet superfood: honey, which reigns supreme as the world’s best natural sweetener, adding its exquisite touch to a wide array |
[TAG91]The Greek authentic recipe for delicious spanakopita straight from my mothers notes! Crispy layers of phyllo dough brushed with…The post Authentic Greek |
[TAG92]Tender, juicy chicken pieces paired with crunchy autumn vegetables, all seasoned in a savory Mediterranean herbs blend. This sheet pan Mediterranean-style |
[TAG93]Unlock the secrets of longevity with our comprehensive guide! Discover 7 essential steps to embrace the Mediterranean lifestyle and…The post Master the |
[TAG94]The Mediterranean diet, with its emphasis on fresh vegetables and fruit, whole grains, legumes, olive oil and fish, provides an array of health benefits, |
[TAG95]Mageirio, after the verb, to cook, “mageirevo,” is essentially an all-purpose summer stew, a kind of “throw-everything-in-one-pot,” dish that almost every home |
[TAG96]Sharing some Mediterranean diet recipes we've been loving lately from around the web and social media. All tried and enjoyed.The post Mediterranean Diet |
[TAG97]New research shows that following a Mediterranean may protect from cancer but also protect cancer survivors. Science is continuously…The post Mediterranean |
[TAG98]The Mediterranean diet focuses on using the freshest ingredients when possible, so we are sharing a list of September Seasonal Produce. The post September |
[TAG99]The post When Life Gives You Lemons Make Avgolemono appeared first on Lemon & Olives. A food blog exploring Greek Mediterranean cuisine, culture, and |
[TAG100]The Mediterranean diet is a heart-healthy eating plan that emphasizes healthy fats, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts and seeds. |
[TAG101]The post I’d rather be in Greece Ornament appeared first on Lemon & Olives. A food blog exploring Greek Mediterranean cuisine, culture, and creating dishes |
[TAG102]Pollo al ajillo (which literally translates to garlic chicken) is one of the most traditional recipes in Spanish gastronomy. It’s also an integral part of |
[TAG103]This delicious Mediterranean snack made with perfectly toasted crusty bread, topped with ripe summer tomato, drizzled with olive oil…The post Traditional Greek |
[TAG104]Kadurei Shokolad, or chocolate balls/chocolate truffles in English, are easily one of the most popular sweet treats in Israel. Everyone loves them, from little |
[TAG105]Light Summer Recipes That Will Help You Lose Weight Are you looking for a delicious and healthy way to shed those extra pounds? Look no further than the |
[TAG106]Abstract. Consuming a Mediterranean diet rich in minimally processed plant foods has been associated with a reduced risk of developing multiple chronic diseases |
[TAG107]There are plenty of recipes on the world wide web for Italian stuffed peppers, artichokes, and mushrooms. But today we’re focusing on stuffed eggplant. This |
[TAG108]Shish tawook is a popular dish in Arab countries. Restaurant menus typically include the Middle Eastern chicken dish as one of the main dishes, along with |
[TAG109]Extra virgin olive oil is one of the healthiest and most important ingredients of the Mediterranean Diet, but drinking…The post 5 Reasons Not to Drink Olive |
[TAG110]Greek Chicken Gyro, a healthy alternative to the classic Greek gyro you’d find at Greek festivals around the world. Yes, it’s true. We love a delicious gyro |
[TAG111]Mediterranean shrimp stir fry – a simple, delicious and healthy way to serve up a Greek inspired dinner. One of our favorite things to do while we’re in the |
[TAG112]It’s an easy (and delicious!) change that can turn your diet into a disease-fighting tool. |
[TAG113]Homemade Pita chips are a healthy and delicious snack. See our pita chip recipe below. If you’re looking to make pita from scratch as well, we’ve got you |
[TAG114]Healthline ranked the Mediterranean Diet number 1 for the following reasons: Numerous studies associate the Mediterranean diet with a reduced risk of heart |
[TAG115]Psychology Today reports: Eating more green, leafy vegetables and less red meat were associated with improved cognitive functioning in a recent study of older |
[TAG116]CNBC reports that Joan Salge Blake, Boston University’s clinical professor of nutrition says: “‘Poor protein [intake] can contribute to fatigue, and that’s the |
[TAG117]According to Olive Oil Times: The authors of the meta-study, published in Current Obesity Reports, noted that hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, several |
[TAG118]There are many misconceptions about the Mediterranean diet. Learn what it really means and how it can help you live a healthier, longer life. |
[TAG119]The study described in The Epoch Times found: In the conclusions of this study, the authors prefer the Mediterranean diet over the Keto diet because the key to |
[TAG120]Once again, the Mediterranean Diet ranks #1 in Best Diets Overall. It is based on the traditional way of eating in the 21 countries that border the |
[TAG121]This Easy Shawarma-Spiced Chicken is full of flavor and tantalizes your taste buds with the flavors of the Middle East. It is an easy stovetop version of the |
[TAG122]Cold winter days call for a hearty, rich, comforting soup. This Simple Gluten-Free Minestrone Soup with Quinoa is a twist on the classic Italian dish. Adding |
[TAG123]These easy baked falafel with lemon-tahini sauce are crispy from the outside, light tender, crumbly from the inside, and full of bright, Mediterranean flavors. |
[TAG124]A review article published in the journal Experimental Gerontology describes the utility of Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) in the prevention and management of |