Mediterranean Diet 101

Multiple studies show that eating a Mediterranean diet can greatly improve your heart health & may offer weight loss (or maintenance) potential. There's also promising indications that it might help ward off other common health concerns.

Since many countries surround the Mediterranean Sea, there isn't one specific formula or diet plan. Eating in the Mediterranean style focuses heavily around fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, fish, & healthy fats (like olive oil & nuts). It also encourages reducing added salts, sugars, & the unhealthier fats (less animal based saturated & avoiding man-made trans fats). Being physically active is a great way to further enhance the health benefits of this eating style.

Benefits include that there are lots of choices, no foods are off limits, & it can easily be personalized. There are lots of recipes available online. While some of the ingredients might initially appear pricy, smart shopping & planning can keep costs fairly reasonable.

For more info, check out:
- US News' Mediterranean Diet-- What You Need to Know
- Mayo Clinic's Mediterranean Diet for Heart Health
- Dr. Oz's Mediterranean Diet Shopping List (don't overlook the link above the list's orange box.)
- Oldways' May is International Mediterranean Diet Month (please keep in mind that there's lots of free info online; however, the 8 basic tenets listed at the bottom offer a nice summary. Their home page also has some helpful links.)

Or, use our search box (on the left sidebar) to check out prior blog posts on many related topics like salt, sugar, types of fats, whole grains, shopping on a budget, eating more fruits & veggies, etc.