Pro Or Con " Mediterranean diet " By Health Experts

Monday, September 28, 2009

Update Sept 28-2009 Pro Or Con " The Mediterranean diet " By Health Expert

Mediterranean diet is a type of diet inspired by the traditional dietary patterns of Southern Italy and Greece . The most famous one was presented by Dr. Walter Willett of Harvard University's School of Public Health in the mid-1990s. Based on "food patterns typical of Crete, much of the rest of Greece, and southern Italy in the early 1960s. The diet contains little low in saturated fat and high in monounsaturated fat and dietary fiber.

Mediterranean Diet also means priorities and proportions as defined in the above pyramid. Since each type of diet may works for some one and the other, please read the Pro and Con of experts argument and decide yourself. We will be appreciate, if you can buy it from our recommended program, once you have decided. Please always consult with your doctor before applying.

Recommended Program
The Mediterranean Diet
A Fundamental Guide to Using the Mediterranean Diet
for Improved Health, Weight Loss, Reducing the Risk
of Heart Disease, Blood Pressure & Common Allergies

Recommended Foods For the Mediterranean Diet Rich in Heart-Healthy Fibers and Nutrients
By Faviano Torres

Today, the world is faced with all kinds of crises: global crisis, environmental crisis and now health crisis. In the United States alone, studies revealed that $2.1 trillion has been spent for medical care, which is around 16.5% of the GNP. You can just imagine what is happening worldwide on the subject of health. As a responsible person, you try to discover a solution to this problem. One of the best solutions is to adopt a good diet plan, and one that is highly recommended is the Mediterranean Diet.

People, living along the Mediterranean Basin particularly in Greece, Crete, Southern France and some parts of Italy, enjoy better health and live longer. Researchers discovered that it is mainly from the foods they eat, which are rich in heart-healthy fiber and nutrients. This is known as the Mediterranean Diet.

The dietary pattern contains the following:

• Plant food (fruit, vegetable, bread and other cereals, beans, nuts and seeds) which are least processed and recently harvested; newly picked fruits as a usual dessert
• Sweets either nut or olive oil-based, intensified sweets and honey eaten as holiday fare
• Lipid-rich olive oil or canola oil
• Dairy products (yoghurt and cheese) consumed in small amount
• Eggs lesser than 4 times weekly
• Red meat in very minimal amounts
• Red wine taken during meals

The Food Pyramid is arranged like this:

In the bottom are the carbohydrates like bread, cereal and wheat;
In the 2nd level and occupying the same line, are vegetables, legumes, nuts and fruits
In the 3rd level is olive oil
In level 4 are dairy products
In the 5th level is fish
Level 6 include poultry
In level 7 are eggs
In level 8 are sweets
In level 9 the least beneficial, is red meat.

In amount of intake: the bottom level until level 4 is taken daily; level 5 until 8 are taken a few times per week and level 9 is taken only in fewer amounts once or twice per month.

Benefits from the Mediterranean Diet are loss in weight, decrease in the incidence of heart disease, reduces the risk of cancer, prevention or a delay in the development of Parkinson, Alzheimer's diseases and pre-Diabetes.

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Is the Mediterranean Diet the Answer?
By Jane Burns

Fad diets come and go, but the health conscious are now realizing, and science is proving, that it is healthier adopting the eating plans from nations that live the longest, disease free lives in the world. It's called 'modeling' the results you want from others. The Mediterranean diet is one of the healthiest in the world. It is very high in omega 3 and omega 6 fats and they are eaten at nearly every meal they have. A western diet might be lucky to get omega fats once or twice per week.

Keeping free range chickens in your backyard and eating their omega rich eggs will help boost these good fats as they contain more than twice the amount of store bought eggs. Eating more beans, nuts and peas is essential to mimic this way of eating, and there are many other foods you can include in your diet to get the health benefits from traditional Greek foods. The Mediterranean's eat a lot of seafood which contributes selenium and fish oil. They eat a lot of greens such as spinach, avocado and asparagus all high in glutathione. The wine they consume with dinner is also rich in the grand daddy of all antioxidants: resveratrol.

They eat lots of grains, rich in omega 3 and olive oil is a staple that is rich in polyphenols, vitamin C and E. Cut back on butter and margarine as the Greeks eat their breed with olive oil. Another staple is Puslane its a plant they use in everything from salads to tea, its high in an omega 3 fat called alpha linoleic acid. It's a fat our bodies can't produce on its on so we need to eat it as often as we can. Following this eating plan and stocking up on omegas could reduce your chance of getting heart disease and cancer by up to 60 percent. Those are good odds.

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A Detailed Comparison of the Mediterranean Diet and the South Beach Diet
By Chris Robertson Platinum Quality Author

People of all ages around the world are interested in good health and longevity. As a result, the weight loss and fitness industries have been booming for years. There are so many diets that those seeking help with their weight loss or health needs don't know where to turn. Two diets that have become extremely popular recently are the Mediterranean Diet and the South Beach Diet. Here's a detailed comparison of both diets. Mediterranean Diet Explained The Mediterranean Diet is often called "The Healthiest Diet in the World" because of its healthy weight loss benefits. Just as the name implies, the Mediterranean Diet has been enjoyed by people who live in the Mediterranean region, particularly Italy and Greece, for thousands of years and is now being adopted by many Americans and others around the world. It is a diet low in saturated fat with healthy mono-unsaturated fats being provided through fish, nuts and olive oil. It features foods such as dried fruits, vegetables, whole grains, small portions of meat such as salmon, turkey, lamb, and tuna, and a small amount of wine. The Mediterranean Diet is known for its many benefits such as help in the prevention of gallstones, breast cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, Lou Gehrig disease, high cholesterol, and other diseases. South Beach Diet Explained The South Beach Diet is a newer "no carb" type diet where carbohydrates are prohibited during the first phase of the diet, and then are slowly introduced back into the diet after two weeks. There are three phases all together, with the third being for maintenance. The focus is on lean meats such as chicken, turkey, shellfish, and fish as well as nuts, eggs, and low-fat cheese. The benefits are weight loss with a long-term balanced diet plan to help with weight maintenance. How the Diets are Alike The similarities of these two diets include eating restaurant quality recipes and promoting healthy monounsaturated fats. Both diets are low in unhealthy saturated fats. The unhealthy fats are found in cheese and meat. Both diets promote healthy foods. Both provide an avenue for fast weight loss with a plan for lifetime maintenance. Also, both diets offer online support and memberships for delicious diet recipes. For instance, Ayhan's Mediterranean Menu Plans are available for those who want to change over to a Mediterranean way of eating. How They Differ With the Mediterranean Diet, alcohol (especially wine) is allowed in moderation. It is prohibited in the first phase of the South Beach Diet. The Mediterranean Diet is high in fiber while the South Beach Diet is low in fiber during its initial phase. Portion control is the main focus of the Mediterranean Diet while the South Beach Diet restricts "what" is eaten by prohibiting certain fruits and vegetables. Another major difference is that those who adopt the Mediterranean Diet may order foods, dressings and seasonings online for their cooking needs. The South Beach Diet does not offer products such as these. The South Beach Diet has only been around a few years while the Mediterranean Diet has been around for thousands of years. Studies have shown that those eating a Mediterranean Diet have less risk of major diseases and can even increase longevity. In this comparison, we see that both diets offer health and weight loss benefits. However, the Mediterranean Diet appears to be better for long-term good health and has fared well in many studies.

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web. Learn more about Compare Mediterranean, South Beach or Majon's Health and Beauty directory

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Sunday, September 13, 2009

Update Sept 13-2009 Pro Or Con " The Mediterranean diet " By Health Expert

Mediterranean Diet Recipes
By Kevin Stith

"Eat healthy and be active" is the universally acknowledged theory to staying fit. Food has to be appealing to the eyes and kindle the taste buds too. The Mediterranean diet is a healthy balanced diet of plant food cooked in "good" fat. That does not mean there is a total cut on animal products. The Mediterranean diet pyramid recommends animal fat and products to be taken in small quantities occasionally. In a Mediterranean diet a major portion includes vegetables, cherries, spinach, beans, mushrooms, tomatoes, watermelon, eggplant and potatoes. Whole grain bread, pastas and cereals are the main course in the diet. Fruit is the most preferred dessert. The food is followed by wine that is consumed in small or moderate amount. Wines are prepared from grapes, pomegranates and persimmons. The diet is also inclusive of dairy products especially cheese that is to be taken in a small quantity.

Mediterranean cuisines are known for their wonderful taste and time saving cooking practices. The recipes widely make use of olive oil in cooking, garnishing and salad dressing. It is a low saturated fat that acts as an antioxidant too. Dairy products like milk, yogurt and cheese are added flavors used in a very low amount. For instance, cheese is used only for flavor and not excessively as a cooking base. Butter and margarine are almost absent in the diet. Similarly, fish, poultry and meat are often grilled or roasted and never fried.

The recipes do not make use of any processed food. For instance they would prefer fresh spinach to processed and salted canned food. Mediterranean diet recipes are unique for their flavor and taste. Most of the flavors in various food preparations come with the use of onion, garlic, spices such as cinnamon, clove, pepper, oregano, Italian parsley and certain natural herbs like basils -- all cooked in olive oil. There is also wide use of citrus juices such as lemon and orange used in cooking. In fact, wine is used in recipes whether it be a main dish, salad or dessert. The recipes vary from state to state, and are fresh vegetables and other plant food produced locally. However, most of the flavor favors remain the same like the olive oil.

Mediterranean Diets provides detailed information about Mediterranean diets, Mediterranean diet benefits, Mediterranean diet cook books and more. Mediterranean Diets is affiliated with Mangosteen Fruit.

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Lifetime Fitness With the Mediterranean Diet
By Peter Stockwell

The Mediterranean diet is one of the best ways to lose weight and to achieve lifetime fitness. Experts have analysed the ingredients and found that drinking a glass of wine a day and large amounts of fruit and fresh vegetables, while keeping red meat consumption low, also helps you live longer. There have been previous studies which show that the Mediterranean diet protects against Alzheimer's and other memory problems as well as some cancers.

Research involving 23,000 people carried out by the Harvard School of Public Health found that those who kept most closely to a Mediterranean diet were 14 per cent more likely to be alive after 8 years. Professor Dimitrios Trichopoulos of the Harvard School says that moderate consumption of alcohol, mostly wine during meals, low consumption of meat and meat products and high consumption of vegetables, fruits, nuts and olive oil can substantially increase lifespan.

The most beneficial of the ingredients of a Mediterranean diet for a long life appears to be wine. Fish is not as valuable, although oily fish, such as mackerel or salmon, can help protect the mind against decline and decrease the risk of prostate cancer in men.

It is a good thing to eat with family and friends. This is, of course, a great tradition in Mediterranean countries. It prolongs the meal and makes for a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere, aiding digestion and relieving stress. It may rather depend on having the right friends and family; we all know that some can have the reverse effect.

Use herbs and spices in the meal instead salt for flavouring. Nuts are good, but some are high in calories and fats. The best are walnuts, pecans, almonds and hazel nuts. A handful a day is all you need. Fruit and fresh vegetable must be eaten with every meal. Fish or shellfish twice a week, lean meat on the remaining days. Bread is usually eaten in the Mediterranean without butter or margarine. Virgin or extra virgin is the best type of olive oil to use.

Red wine is one of the delights of the Mediterranean diet but, somewhat like ones friends and family, it should be taken in moderation. Two glasses a day for a man, one small to medium glass a day for a woman. It does have excellent properties, it reduces the blood's ability to clot, much as aspirin does. It also contains antioxidants. Antioxidants fight free radicals which attack healthy cells and cause damage to our bodies, increasing the risk of heart disease, diabetes and some cancers. But don't worry about how red wine makes you healthy. It is a good thing, just enjoy it.

Of course we should not think that all Mediterranean people eat what we call the Mediterranean diet. There are twenty one countries bordering the Mediterranean and if you go to North Africa, for example, you will find something very different to the food of Greece or Italy. The style of cooking we call Mediterranean can be found in Italy, Southern France and parts of Spain. It is also the diet of poorer people who grow their own vegetables and buy cheap fish and meat in the market. Or maybe they fish and keep animals themselves.

This brings us to exercise. The Mediterranean diet, or any other diet, will not work without exercise. Mediterranean families are often farmers or fishermen, they work hard and have a lot of exercise. This applies to men, women and often children. We must do the same as much as we are able. So a walking exercise program, or whatever form of exercise you feel most comfortable with, is an essential part of a long healthy life.

Peter Stockwell is a writer, walker and author of the Senior Walking Fitness Blog helping all ages to achieve lifetime fitness. For more articles, tips and help on any aspect of diet and fitness visit: http://www.seniorwalkingfitnessblog.com.

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Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Update Sept 01-2009 Pro Or Con " The Mediterranean diet " By Health Expert

Mediterranean Diet Recipes For Weight Loss
By Ray Darken Platinum Quality Author

The Mediterranean Diet is famous for its many health benefits from lowering the risk of heart disease and Alzheimer's Disease, to reducing the risk of an unborn child developing asthma. What's more, the traditional Mediterranean diet has now been recognized as an effective weight loss diet. Read on for meal ideas for the Mediterranean diet and Mediterranean diet recipes. Your waistline and your taste buds will thank you.

These simple Mediterranean Diet recipes are all suitable as main meals. Mediterranean salad recipes have been included as a healthy accompaniment. Alternatively, fresh steamed vegetables would also be great selections for Mediterranean cuisine.

Spinach, Mushroom, Tomato Frittata with Feta Cheese. (Serves 4.)

Many Mediterranean food recipes incorporate plenty of fresh and colorful vegetables. Try substituting your very favorite vegetable and herbs for a more unique and personalized Mediterranean meal.

Ingredients:

1 Tabspn extra virgin olive oil
8 oz, or 3 cups, sliced mushrooms
1 onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 tspn pepper
1/4 tspn salt
1/2 tspn oregano, or any fresh herb you prefer
10 oz, or 1 bag, fresh spinach, chopped
1/4 cup milk, preferably reduced fat or skim
1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled, preferably reduced fat
6 eggs
2 tomatoes, sliced

Method:

Add oil to non-stick ovenproof pan, and over a medium heat, cook mushrooms, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, and herbs. Stir to prevent sticking for approximately 8 minutes, until all liquid is removed.
Add spinach, cover, cook for about 5 minutes until spinach is just wilted.
Whisk eggs in mixing bowl. Add cheese and eggs to pan containing cooked vegetables and stir gently to mix. Turn heat to low. Place sliced tomato on top and cook uncovered for about 10 minutes, until only slight amount of juice remains.
Place under grill for 3-5 minutes until set.
Slice and serve with salad or steamed fresh seasonal vegetables drizzled with a little extra virgin olive oil.

Roasted Mediterranean Style Leg of Lamb With Artichokes. (Serves 10.)

This is a great example of a Mediterranean recipe, featuring such traditional Mediterranean foods as lamb, garlic, and artichokes.

Ingredients:

4lb leg of lamb
1 tspn oregano, chopped finely
1 tspn pepper
2 tspn salt
1 garlic clove, minced
8 oz, or 1 cup of tomato passata
1 cup, or 250 ml, water
9 oz artichoke hearts, tinned, marinated, or frozen

Method:

Heat oven to 325º F.
Rub the combined oregano, pepper and salt into the lamb. Place lamb on rack in shallow baking pan. Bake in oven for 2 1/2 hours.
Remove lamb and baking rack from oven. Drain fat from baking juices and place lamb back in pan without the baking rack.
Combine garlic, passata, and water, and pour over lamb. Place sliced lemon over top of lamb. Place artichokes around lamb in baking dish.
Bake for another 30-60 minutes, basting occasionally with sauce, until meat thermometer reaches 175-180º F.
Serve with salad or roast vegetables, such as potatoes, pumpkin, and sweet potato.

Healthy Greek Salad. (Serves 4.)

Ingredients:

2 cucumbers, peeled and chopped or sliced
3 tomatoes, chopped
1 Spanish onion
4 teaspn fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 1/2 teaspn oregano
salt and pepper as desired
8 pitted Kalamata olives, chopped
1 cup feta cheese, reduced fat, crumbled

Method:

Combine cucumbers, tomatoes, and onion in appropriately sized salad bowl.
Combine lemon juice, olive oil, oregano, salt and pepper. Drizzle over salad.
Place feta cheese and olives decoratively on top.

Traditional Tabbouleh (Serves 4 as an accompaniment.)

Ingredients:

1/2 cup boiling water
1/4 cup bulgur
1 onion, finely chopped
5 tomatoes, chopped
1 cup chopped parsley
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
juice of 1 lemon
2 teaspns extra virgin olive oil
pinch of salt if required

Method:

Add boiling water to bulgur in small bowl. Mix, then cover. Stand for about 60 minutes. Drain off any leftover water.
Combine remaining ingredients in a bowl. Add softened bulgur and mix well.

Conclusion.

You may have noticed that these Mediterranean Diet recipes use extra virgin olive oil. The reason? Extra virgin olive oil is made from the very first pressing of the olives, and as a consequence contains the very highest levels of anti-oxidants. The Mediterranean Diet is famous for being a rich source of anti-oxidants, which are vital for good health and mopping up dangerous free radicals.

Hope you enjoy these Mediterranean Diet recipes for weight loss. Healthy? Yes! Boring? No.

The author Ray Darken provides an extensive amount of Mediterranean recipes and a downloadable guide if you have an interest or would like to have your own reference and recipes on the Mediterranean diet. Also, to keep you on your toes and your mouth watering, here are another few Mediterranean diet recipes.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ray_Darken

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Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Update August 19 -2009 Pro Or Con " Mediterranean diet " By Health Experts

Live Longer With The Mediterranean Diet
By Jonathon Hardcastle Platinum Quality Author

One of the biggest problems EU leaders have to find ways to overcome is the fact that the "old" continent is in fact becoming old. As the European birth rate has been dropping at a rapid rate over the last couple of decades, the European continent will become soon a continent inhabited by a increasing majority of seniors. Since this demographic trend develops, EU reforms and retirement policies try to address the issue and give Europe its chance to maintain its productivity levels high and its overall outcome on surplus. Thus, contemporary ethnographic studies support that keeping Europeans health at high levels, especially for those over the age of sixty, is not only a social policy act governments should focus on providing, but also a wise economic policy that will keep Europeans able to continue being productive members of society and thus, lowering the negative outcomes of an alarming EU reality. One method to keep older people healthier is to focus on their dietary habits and introducing new nutritional practices that can increase life expectancy levels. According to researchers, one of the choices an aging person has to keep being healthy and active is to follow the Mediterranean diet.

In fact, the Mediterranean diet is associated with longer life expectancy among the elderly, because it is characterized by a high intake of vegetables, legumes, fruits, and cereals. Furthermore, one of the basic nutritional elements shared across all Mediterranean cultures is the high intake of fish and the low consumption levels of saturated fats. On the other hand, olive oil, which belongs to the unsaturated fats category, helps the human organism function and provides all the necessary ingredients for the aged part of the EU's population to continue being healthy and thrive. Furthermore, the low intake of dairy products and meat and the modest consumption of alcohol have helped the elderly in countries like Spain and Greece to live longer and healthier lives and maintain their productivity levels high close to the end of their lives.

As current evidence suggests, such a diet is beneficial to the health of all individuals regardless of their age group or residence location. Scientists, after examining a variety of factors like diet, lifestyle, medical history, physical activity levels, and smoking have recognized the importance of the Mediterranean diet in keeping the body fit and the mind working properly. In fact, a higher dietary score was associated with a lower overall death rate and evidence suggests that people who follow such a dietary plan are expected to live longer and suffer less from illnesses.

What is alarming though is that the younger generation of Europe that has began following the Western type of diet-larger portions, fewer meals, less vegetable and fruit intake-have experienced problems associated with weight gain and are now battling against disfiguring their body types. Modern way of living, stress, less available time to prepare a proper meal and other problems, have led parents to neglect the nutrition of their children and has led them to fight problems such that of youth obesity and low self-esteem. Educating seniors should be a combined effort with educating youth as both age groups are considered currently to be the future of the "aging" European continent.

Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles on many topics including Nutrition, Science, and Nursing

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What Makes the Mediterranean Diet So Healthy?
By Andy Greenhaw

A recent study in Greece has identified five key components that contribute to the longer lifespan associated with the Mediterranean diet: drinking moderate amounts of wine, eating little meat, eating lots of vegetables, eating fruits and nuts, and using olive oil.

The population-based cohort study looked at 23,000 healthy, Greek men and women ages 20 to 86, who filled out a questionnaire of their diet and lifestyle. Researchers calculated diet score card based on nine components of the diet: vegetables, legumes, fruit and nuts, dairy products, cereals, meat and meat products, fish and seafood, monounsaturated-to-saturated lipid ratio, and ethanol consumption.

Those who consumed higher amounts of beneficial foods and lower amounts of harmful food scored higher on the scale than who lived the opposite lifestyle. The study then compared the lives of the individuals in a follow-up after 8.5 years.

The study found that more deaths occurred in the group with a lower Mediterranean diet score, compared to those with a higher diet score. Those who consumed moderate amounts of alcohol were 23.5 percent less likely to die; ate lower amounts of meat were 16.6 percent less likely to die; ate higher amounts of vegetables were 16.2 percent less likely to die; consumed higher amounts of fruits and nuts were 11.2 percent less likely to die; and consumed higher amounts of legumes were 9.7 percent less likely to die.

Dr. James O'Keefe, a preventive cardiologist for Cardiovascular Consultants, and his wife Joan O'keefe, RD, devote an entire section of their book, The Forever Young Diet and Lifestyle to the benefits of eating like the Mediterranean people.

When describing the women of La Cioquat, France, the O'Keefes write, "Their beautiful flat tummies with the pierced belly buttons are the byproduct of an active lifestyle and a diet that keeps their hormones in the healthy, youthful ranges," he writes. "In contrast, the average tubby American continues his or her futile struggle with the "Ab-Blaster" machine and fad diets, while eating synthetic foods loaded with trans fats and high fructose corn syrup and spending most of the day sitting in front of the TV or computer screen."

The O'Keefes lay out four dietary interventions that scientific studies consistently relate to improved overall health:

1) cut daily calorie intake; 2) add fresh natural, whole plant foods (vegetables, fruits, berries and nuts); 3) increase omega-3 fats (especially in the form of a fish supplement); 4) substitute unhealthy saturated, trans and dairy fats with healthy mono and polyunsaturated oils (nuts, olive oil, avocados and soybeans).

"All four of these principles are part of the traditional Mediterranean diet," writes O'Keefe, who is also an unpaid researcher for CardioTabs.

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Monday, August 17, 2009

Update August 17, 2009 Pro Or Con " Mediterranean diet " By Health Experts

Mediterranean Diet Review
By Ryan Sanders Platinum Quality Author

Mediterranean diet was mainly taken by the people staying in Southern Europe, Middle East and North Africa - i.e. people staying in the counties around the Mediterranean Sea and thus the name. The basic characteristics of this diet is that there is more consumption of colorful fruits, vegetables, bread, cereals, potatoes, beans, nuts and seeds. These are very good sources of olive oil and it's a very vital mono-unsaturated source of fat.

On the other hand, the diet has very low quantities of dairy products, fish and poultry, red meat, eggs, wine and beer. The fish they prefer to take is oily fish like sardines which are essentially high in Omega-3 oils. The diet does not encourage fried foods which are cooked in rancid vegetable oils or Trans fats.

As Mediterranean diet includes a lot of fresh seasonal vegetables it is very much different from the Standard American Diet which rely more on canned or imported products. Thus the Mediterranean diet is very healthy as it includes good quantities of olive oil and balances the various healthy fats in the right proportion. As the diet offers a very good mixture of vitamins and minerals people who take it have less chances of getting affected from arteriosclerosis, heart attacks, liver disease, gall bladder disease and constipation.

As the Mediterranean diet comprises of more grains, fruits, beans and vegetables and less of meat, chances of heart attack in a person who takes this diet are 50 to 70 percent less. People who take this diet regularly tend to live more.

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Losing Weight With a Mediterranean Diet
By Joseph Devine Platinum Quality Author

One of the most important factors in successfully losing weight is adopting a diet that encourages you to consistently eat right. So many diets fail because the food is unappetizing or too different from what you're used to. It's hard to stick with a diet that leaves you completely unsatisfied. The trick to successfully losing weight is finding a diet you can actually stick with.

That's where the Mediterranean diet comes in. Dieticians and researchers have long marveled at the healthiness and longevity of the Mediterranean peoples, despite their diets heavy in fat and carbohydrates. After research, Harvard's Dr. Walter Willett proposed what has come to be known as the modern Mediterranean diet, based on the traditional diets of people in the Greek islands and southern Italy.

Dr. Willett first introduced his plan in the mid-'90s, and it has caught on rapidly since then. Under his plan, dieters focus on eating sea food and poultry with a lot of vegetables, with the principle fat source coming from olive oil. Dairy products like cheese and yogurt are encouraged, as is moderate consumption of red wine. Red meat is consumed only in low amounts.

The bulk of the calories in this diet come from olive oil, legumes, unrefined cereals (such as wheat breads, e.g.), with lots of fruits and vegetables. The plan avoids fatty red meat, refined grains like white bread, lards and butters, saturated fats, rendered products, and sugars.

The Mediterranean diet has numerous benefits. First, because it is low in fat, it is easy to lose and maintain weight on it. Additionally, it is very good for the heart due to the same low fat content. And because it emphasizes delicious, traditional Greek and Italian dishes, it is a lot easier to keep to than some of the more faddy diets that offer quick results. It's important to remember that weight loss and good health is a marathon, not a sprint. While it's really tempting to think only of getting into that swimsuit in time or dropping that gut as quickly as possible, that's only a short-term goal. In fact, that quick-term weight loss may come at the cost of long-term healthiness. When the diet is combined with regular moderate exercise, weight loss is almost guaranteed. Just remember to stick to it and that weight loss should never come at the complete cost of enjoyment.

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Joseph Devine

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Saturday, August 1, 2009

Update August 1st - 2009 Pro Or Con " Mediterranean Diet " By Health Experts

Spanish Food is a Mediterranean Diet - Similarities of the Two and Why They Are Good For You
By Faviano Torres

Mediterranean diet is based on the traditional cuisines of the countries near the Mediterranean region. Spain is among the countries that have rich and sumptuous diet sharing similar nature and characteristics of the commercialized Mediterranean eating style. Spanish food is also a reflection of good health as it mostly uses vegetables and nuts and seeds as the ingredients for their main course, while using poultry and red meat as minimal as possible.

While it is true that each country in Mediterranean region has its own unique cuisine that also reflects their rich culture and custom, most of their cuisines share identical qualities listed as follow:

Having a penchant for fruits and vegetables -- Spaniards are fond of eating fresh fruits and vegetables. At most time, they have their vegetables half-cooked with olive oil, or half-steamed. They also believed in the importance of enzymes and the truth about them being fond in raw and half-cooked food. Also included in their daily diet are nuts, seeds, potatoes and beans in huge amount.

Olive oil for good fats -- As Spanish people love sautéed dishes, they incorporate olive oil in their food preparation because of its healthful properties and devoid of bad cholesterol. For them, olive can be a healthy source of fat, making them safe from hypertension and heart ailments.

Fish and Omega-3 fatty acids -- Sardines, mackerels, herrings and tuna are among the good sources of Omega-3 fatty acids--amino acids that are crucial in keeping a healthy heart and healthy mind.

Meat and Dairy products -- Spanish people do not totally discard meat, although noticeably, the servings are kept in small amounts and eaten less frequently.

Wine -- Of course, how could wine be absent in a diet when even medical and health specialists believe that a moderate dosage of wine can be good for the heart? People in Mediterranean region do love drinking wine particularly social drinking.

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Mediterranean Diet - What You Can and Cannot Eat
By Faviano Torres

A person who wants to commit to long-term changes in eating habits may feel comfortable switching to Mediterranean Diet.

This type of diet is fashioned after the dining behaviors of people who live in the Mediterranean. For them, having a meal is a slow, enjoyable process that excludes all notions of pigging out on large portions in an almost compulsory manner. As such, it promotes appreciation to small, healthy, flavorful, and filling meals.

What are the "allowed" foods?
With this diet, food choices are simple; it mostly comprises of healthy and nutritious foods. Thus, participants of this diet are recommended to have daily servings of fruits, vegetables, fish and sea foods, beans, whole grains, nuts, rice, seeds, and pasta. Of course, olive oil as well as wine is recommended to be served on all possible occasions.

What are the "disallowed" foods?
This form of dieting involves very minor restrictions. So long as the food is nutritious and is not high on nasty fats and other ingredients, they are good as foods. Nonetheless, there are selections of foods that must be avoided as much as possible. These are foods considered obviously unhealthy. On the other hand, dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt must be consumed in moderation. That goes for red meat as well. Overall, foods that are high in cholesterol and fats are the foods to avoid.

The main underlying principle to this diet is to consume foods in moderation. It does not ask for dramatic or constant changes in one's diet. Instead, it recommends enjoying the process of nibbling on goodies and the practice of healthy eating. It gives emphasis on enjoying each meal and their preparations as opposed to the current western-style dining which is rushed, automatic, and very unhealthy.

This type of weight loss method has a very considerable success rate. One's chances of achieving permanent weight loss increase if the Mediterranean style of dining is partnered with any types if exercise.

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Characteristics and Benefits of the Mediterranean Diet - Maximize This Weight Loss Plan
By Faviano Torres

The Mediterranean diet is a very sensible health-improving method. Patterned from the lifestyle and food behaviors of people who live in the Mediterranean region, this diet incorporates the native ingredients of the Mediterranean cuisine, which are primarily composed of healthy fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, aromatic grass, olives and olive oil, and wine. To clearly understand the nature of this diet, please check its characteristics and benefits below:

Characteristics

- Gives greater emphasis on the consumption of fruits, vegetables, legumes, beans and nuts, olive oil as dietary oil, whole grain foods such as bread, rice, pasta, potatoes and couscous, as well as yogurt and cheese, on a daily basis. Physical activity is an inherent and natural part of daily activities, though this diet does not specify which types of activities are recommended. On a weekly basis, poultry meat, fish, eggs, and sweets are allowed. Red meat must be consumed periodically, in moderation. It also recommends more than 6 glasses of water per day and requires drinking of wine and other types of alcohol with every meal, also in moderation.

- It places emphasis on enjoying and savoring foods instead of consuming them in an almost robotic-like fashion.

- Foods in this diet are essentially high in antioxidants.

- It is a moderately strict diet.

- It was not fundamentally developed for weight loss though following this diet will definitely contribute to serious shedding of pounds through a constant and slow process.

Benefits

- It boosts the health of the cardiovascular system because it recommends regular consumption of foods high in heart-friendly properties such as flavanoids and antioxidants.

- It reduces one's risk of developing chronic and oftentimes fatal conditions such as diabetes, breast and colon cancers, hypertension and other heart-related conditions, and inflammatory diseases.

- It reduces the risk of developing degenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease.

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Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Mediterranean diet

The Mediterranean Diet and Longevity - Discover How it Can Change Your Life Expectancy and Health
By Faviano Torres

Mediterranean diet is among the available diets in the market that has longevity beneficial effect besides promoting good health. It consists of eating vegetables especially legumes, fruits, nuts, whole grains and fish. A moderate amount of alcohol is also permitted and so are monounsaturated fats to saturated fats like olive oil and lean meat from chicken.

Technically, majority of the foods in Mediterranean diet are composed of fruits and vegetables cooked using olive oil (one of the healthy oils), nuts and beans with dairy meat and products as side dish. Through a long and thorough observation, researchers started long-term studies on the effects of Mediterranean diet on life expectancy and health.

In their study of 214,284 men and 166,012 women, medical researchers religiously monitored the participants for 10 years. 27, 799 participants have died and the researchers used the food surveys to determine how closely they followed the diet.

They discovered that those who ate closely to the Mediterranean style had lower chances of dying from cancer or from all causes. The reduction was about 12%. The research provided a substantial basis for researchers to advocate that adhering to the Mediterranean diet can be made into a lifestyle to improve health and life expectancy. This does not mean that people who do not follow this diet will likely die sooner. The point is diets-- such as Mediterranean-- that are based upon plants to be the source of dishes can be health-conducive.

Fruits and vegetables are widely accepted to be rich in nutrients and fiber. They are mostly easy to digest, making their nutrients to be immediately effective as when they are circulated. Most meats are heavy burden on digestive system for it takes weeks before one medium slice of pork or beef to be completely digested. They are also high in bad cholesterol. Most cancer patients and people who suffer from serious illnesses are found to have diets that were scarce on vegetables and rich in meats.

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Recommended Foods For the Mediterranean Diet Rich in Heart-Healthy Fibers and Nutrients
By Faviano Torres

The dietary pattern contains the following:

The Food Pyramid is arranged like this:

In amount of intake: the bottom level until level 4 is taken daily; level 5 until 8 are taken a few times per week and level 9 is taken only in fewer amounts once or twice per month.

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Key Principles of the Mediterranean Diet Plan
By Alessia Rossi

The Mediterranean Diet Plan is a heart-healthy and overall beneficial eating plan which combines the elements of the best Mediterranean recipes. The traditional Mediterranean style cooking and the eating lifestyle of the Mediterranean people together make not only a weight loss and maintenance diet, but also one of the healthiest ways of eating in the world.

The Mediterranean diet plan contains all the elements of healthy eating - fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, and limited unhealthy fats and red meats. A splash of extra virgin olive oil and a glass of red wine make this diet plan specific and - according to the most recent health studies - the healthiest diet plan in the world.

Mediterranean recipes with their subtle balance and differences in proportions of certain foods, together with the use of unprocessed foods, make a difference to your health, reducing your risk of heart diseases, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and cancer. Not to mention weight loss benefits!

Key principles of the Mediterranean diet plan include:

• use of healthy olive oil instead of almost all other plant or animal based fats

• Consummation of fresh vegetables, fruits or legumes. Avoid the consumption of fruits with the main meals.

• Consummation of fish and seafood, poultry and white meats at least two times a week (if you don't like fish, eat poultry and lean meats instead).

• Using spices and herbs to flavor meals

• Consummation of cheese, yogurt and other dairy products in moderate use. (Avoid cream and butter.)

• Drinking red wine (for some), in moderation (1 glass per meal)

• Low consummation of red meat (2-3 times a month!)

The main focus of the Mediterranean diet isn't to limit total fat consumption, but to make wiser choices about the types of fat you consume. The Mediterranean diet is similar to the American Heart Association's Step I diet, but it contains less cholesterol.

Following Mediterranean Diet Plan is easy: choose plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits, limit your intake of red meat and saturated fats like butter, substituting them with lean meat, poultry and olive oil. Try boiling and steaming your vegetables instead of fried foods, and avoid eating heavy sauces with everything. Once you experience the delicious and healthy choices the Mediterranean diet plan has to offer, it will become your favorite diet!

Alessia Rossi is a nutritionist, passionate about Mediterranean food, diet and culture. Do you want to lose some extra weight? Join the thousands of happy people who've been able to lose extra weight and eat healthier by following Mediterranean Diet Plan

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alessia_Rossi

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