Take a Peek into the Mediterranean Diet to Discover the Secret of Staying Skinny
One big, interesting paradox about the Mediterranean diet is that although about half of the calories in the diet come from fat, the incidence of obesity and people dying of heart disease, stomach and colon cancer in the Mediterranean is lower than in America and among the lowest in the world. When we discuss about Mediterranean food, fresh fruit, vegetables, herbs, seafood, and olive oil immediately spring to mind. And a spectacular element of this diet is its wide variety; a Mediterranean diet meal includes many different foods, and each day brings new choices. See whats in their food culture and in what ways we can emulate: Fresh fruits & Vegetables: Lots of fresh fruit, greens, and potatoes are eaten daily as snacks or as the last course to their meals. Salads and vegetables are eaten every day. Eggplant and zucchini are popular dishes. Legumes and Nuts All types of beans are eaten regularly. Beans and chickpeas have been a staple of the Peninsula for centuries. Spain is one of the top producers of almonds, hazelnuts and walnuts. Herbs and Spices Garlic, onions and herbs such as oregano, rosemary and thyme are used, but garlic more than the others. Olive oil is the primary
source of fat
in Mediterranean recipes, which is a monounsaturated fat. It does not raise blood cholesterol
cholesterol
in the same way that saturated fats and trans fats do, hence often, its called a good fat. Spain is a leading producer of olive oil and olives are grown all over the south of Spain.
Meat and poultry are eaten in smaller quantities. Wine is consumed moderately.
|
Fish is eaten several times a week and contains omega-3 oils, a fat that is believed to be useful in cutting down the risk of heart diseases. Fresh seafood is always plentiful in the markets. A wide array of fish and shell fish is commonly found on menus.
