The Mediterranean diet describes the traditional diets of countries that border the Mediterranean Sea. Following the Mediterranean diet is linked to lower rates of chronic disease, particularly heart disease. While this diet varies from country to country, it's generally high in fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, whole grains, fish, and olive oil.
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:
It’s also high in unsaturated fats, like olive oil. And usually includes low amounts of meat, dairy, and alcohol.
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:
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.
A traditional Mediterranean diet varies between countries, but it typically includes eating:
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.
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