Friday, March 2, 2007

Mediterranean Diet plan

Among various types of diets there exists a type of it that can prolong your live, decrease the risk of cancer and heart disease, and also reduce the level of cholesterol. This diet is called the Mediterranean diet.

Compared to Americans and other people the Mediterranean Sea dwellers show lower rates of heart disease. Studies conducted in the past few years have discovered the main dietary habits which found to be a significant part of the lower rates of chronic disease.

The Mediterranean diet mostly contains fruits, grains, vegetables, and beans including little meat and plenty of olive oil. Research works assume that the yogurt live bacterial cultures may also influence the peoples’ good health. One thing which is usually contained in Mediterranean dishes is garlic that can prevent blood clots, reduce the level of cholesterol, protecting you against cancer.
The Mediterranean diet also contains small amounts of wine. Some explorers believe that this may be responsible for Mediterranean’s healthy hearts. Daily dose for men is two glasses, for women - one glass.
The Mediterranean diet means high consumption of breads, pasta, rice, couscous, polenta, bulgur and potatoes, fruits, legumes and vegetables, average amounts of steamed and grilled fish, and also olive oil that is used with fresh vegetables and on salads, small doses of lean red meat with no visible fat, lean pork, small amounts of alcohol, and high use of antioxidants. Regular exercise is considered to be an important part of Mediterranean health.


For Mediterranean Diet
plan you don’t have to buy special foods to be successful on it because it includes lean meat, poultry, seafood, low fat cheese, eggs, egg substitutes and a wide range of vegetables. You can also consume whole fruits, cereal and skim milk. Wheat, multi-grain and pita bread, as well as whole wheat pasta, brown rice, peas, beans and lentils is your normal food intake. You can also include olive oil and a small amount of wine. Vegetarians can substitute tofu for the fish, poultry and meat.
Although this diet can help your body to reach and maintain optimal weight it isn’t a weight loss one. It depends on how much you weigh to start. Overweight, men lose an average of 6-8 pounds after the first two weeks on the diet, women - 4-6 pounds. This meal usually planned for about six weeks, but you can stay on this way of eating for life.

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