Sunday, January 24, 2010

Mediterranean Diet - Is It For You?

By Pete Smith

Mediterranean diet is quite popular amongst many dieters because of its unrestrictive nature, opposite to majority of other diets. Also the fact that consumption of wine is encouraged can only increase the number of fans of this diet.

Many, including nutritionists, dieters and medical professionals strongly believe that Mediterranean diet is excellent to get a healthy weight. It also improves your overall health including normal blood pressure and reducing risks of health disease.

Is this diet really for you?

Main products used in this diet include: lots of fish, lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, vegetarian dishes consisting only of fresh products (not frozen or canned), poultry and a little bit of beef or pork.

It all does look and sound very healthy indeed but there's a problem if you don't live in Mediterranean. If you live in Western Europe or US then you can't get fresh fruits and vegetables all year round. Well, you can but it will cost you lots of money.

Another thing in Mediterranean diet that "turns off" is that olive oil is considered to be the main source of phenolic compounds. Phenolic compounds help reduce cholesterol and reduce the risk of having certain cancers but olive oil is not the only product you can get phenolic compounds from.

Prunes, berries, red grapes and their juice, kiwi, apples, currants, apple juice and tomatoes also are great sources of phenolic compounds. Red wine also isn't necessary to use if you're not a fan of alcohol; it can be replaced with red grapes or red grape juice.

Last thing that makes this diet not that great is that it takes awful lot of time. It is fine if you live slow paced lifestyle like people in the Med do but most Western world people live much faster and they don't have time to choose, prepare and cook that kind of meals.

Also it's important how we eat our meals. In the Mediterranean people have long relaxing midday breaks to enjoy their healthy meals, opposite to our fast snacking and running to the next meeting.

The Mediterranean diet can help you lose weight and improve your health, without a doubt but it's not for everyone. Just adjust it to your needs and capabilities by taking out most suitable elements for you from it and results can be as good.

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