What is the Mediterranean diet?

What is the Mediterranean diet?

The Mediterranean diet describes the traditional diet of countries that border the Mediterranean Sea — including France, Italy, Spain, and Greece. While this type of diet varies by country, it’s typically high in:

• fruits and vegetables
• legumes — like lentils and chickpeas
• nuts
• beans
• cereals
• grains
• fish

It’s also high in unsaturated fats, like olive oil. And usually includes low amounts of meat, dairy, and alcohol.

Benefits of the Mediterranean diet

Research into the benefits of the Mediterranean diet began in the 1960s. As it was noted that people living along the Mediterranean Sea had much lower rates of heart disease.

Following a traditional Mediterranean diet might reduce your risk of:

• high blood pressure
• raised cholesterol
• heart attack and stroke
• type 2 diabetes
• Alzheimer's disease

The Mediterranean diet might also help to prevent weight gain and increase your life expectancy.

One reason the Mediterranean diet can be really effective is that, unlike many other diets, it doesn’t restrict a lot of foods or food groups. So it’s a lot easier for you to follow and stick to in the long-term.

How to follow the Mediterranean diet

A traditional Mediterranean diet varies between countries, but it typically includes eating:

• lots of fruit and vegetables — aim for 7-10 servings a day
• wholegrains — opt for wholegrain bread, rice, pasta and so on over refined carbohydrates
• healthy fats — olive oil, fish, nuts, and seeds are good sources
• fish — aim for two portions of fish a week
• some dairy — like Greek yoghurt and cheese
• herbs and spices — reduces the need for salt

Try to avoid eating too much red meat. And while no food is off-limits, a Mediterranean diet is low in sugar, trans fats, refined oils, processed meat, and high-fat, sugary foods.

A traditional Mediterranean lifestyle also involves regular exercise and sharing meals with other people.