
The Mediterranean diet plan is known for being a heart healthy eating plan. It in general is a healthy diet but incorporates essentials of Mediterranean cooking like a glass of red wine and olive oil. This diet focuses on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, good fats and fish. But by focusing on specific types of foods within these categories you can make your heart even stronger.
The Mediterranean diet plan has been found to reduce the risk of heart disease and has many benefits. It has also been found to reduce your frisk of cancer as well as heart disease. The main components of the Mediterranean diet include eating healthy fats like olive and canola oil, small portions of nuts, consuming fish regularly, eating very little red meat, drinking red wine in moderation, and eating a lot of fruit and vegetables.
You should try to eat on average about nine servings of fruit and vegetables a day. These fruits should be rich in antioxidants, such as berries and darkly colored fruits. If you do consume grains then they should be whole grains as most Mediterranean countries do not use processed grains. Bread should not be eaten with margarine or butter.
The Mediterranean diet plan does not limit your fat intake as long as you eat “good” fats. These fats are omega-3-fatty acids and are polyunsaturated. Fish, canola oil, nuts and olive oil are all “good” oils. It is the saturated and hydrogenated oils that you need to be wary of and avoid. Olive oil is a monounsaturated fat and virgin olive oil and extra virgin olive oil contain the highest amounts of antioxidants.
Drinking wine in moderation can be beneficial to the heart. As long as you limit your self to one to two glasses a day then you are helping your heart. Drinking alcohol in excess may benefit your heart but will damage your liver and brain. It is important to drink red wine as red wine is very high in antioxidants, which are beneficial to your heart.
Next, find out more about the Mediterranean food diet and find out how you can easily follow the Mediterranean diet plan with a step by step guide.
Related posts:
If you would like to make a comment, please fill out the form below.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
I agree with this article and this diet and lifestyle. It works. It works. It works. Any age, any place–not just in Europe by following the traditional Mediterranean diet and lifestyle–it’s amazing. It doesn’t feel like a “diet” it’s a way of life that I preach and practice in my books and every day. Oh yeah, size 4 here.
author of The Healing Powers of Olive Oil, Vinegar, and Chocolate (all published by Kensington)