Key Principles of the Mediterranean Diet Plan

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:

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

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

o    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).

o    Using spices and herbs to flavor meals

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

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

o    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 bestmediterraneandietonline.com 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 bestmediterraneandietonline.com Mediterranean Diet Plan