Mediterranean Diet

sannasb1

Is anyone following a Mediterranean diet? My doctor recommended it for me. So far I love this way of eating, but I am very new to following it.

Need2Exerc1se

Of all documented diets I've read/heard about the Mediterranean Diet most closely matches what I eat. I eat more meat than it suggests, I think.

snowflake954

I live in Italy and we eat Mediterranean everyday.

lemurcat12

I think a lot of people eat in some ways similar to the Med Diet, it strikes me as quite similar to what I think of as basic healthy eating. (It's how I eat more often than not, although I try to eat somewhat seasonally and live in a colder climate, so there are differences (I don't drink, for example, so no red wine) and I experiment with things.)

Here's a good site: https://oldwayspt.org/history-mediterranean-diet-pyramid

Cherimoose

It's a pretty common way of eating. A few of the points could be debated.. like the need for olive oil, or lots of grains.. but overall it's a good start for those who are new to eating healthy. Do you have any questions about it? Why did your Dr recommended it?

AbbyPort89

This diet was recommended to me by my doctor as well. Borderline cholesterol issues. I'm just way to picky of an eater to figure it out and make it work for me. I've been limiting red meat to 1-2 times a month and sticking to leaner meats.

msdemmie

Think it is pretty close to what we eat, low on butter, only use olive oil, very very few processed foods - local fresh food, fruit vegetables, fish and seafood.

Flyingfingers51

Over the years, I think I've tried every fad diet out there. But I think the Mediterranean Diet is the real deal!! I lost more weight, more quickly, felt more full, most of the time, and felt better. And it's a way of eating I can live with from now on. Good luck!!

snowflake954

Flyingfingers51 wrote: »

Over the years, I think I've tried every fad diet out there. But I think the Mediterranean Diet is the real deal!! I lost more weight, more quickly, felt more full, most of the time, and felt better. And it's a way of eating I can live with from now on. Good luck!!

People around the Mediteranean have been eating this way for centuries. Thankfully it doesn't fall into the category of "fad diets". It is extremely creative, so you can adjust it to your tastes. When I was a kid we had what was called a "well ballanced meal", and I find the Med diet to be just that. One can definately eat this way forever. Congratulations. I'm glad you've found something that works so well for you.

sannasb1

Cherimoose: My heart doctor recommended it because my cholesterol was high. I told him I was so confused with all the different diets I've tried and he said the only one is the Mediteranean .

snowflake954: I did Paleo for a couple of years and then tried Trim Healthy Mama. But my problem was I didn't stick to it and felt deprived. I am learning to pick and choose the foods I like. For instance I do love olives and feta cheese. But I have to watch my sodium. I blow up like a balloon.

Flyingfingers51: I have to agree with you on this one. But I've just started yesterday, so we'll see how well I loose. But your post is encouraging.

lemurcat12: I just found that site yesterday. I haven't looked at it much, but it has tons of information.

snowflake954

sannasb1 wrote: »

Cherimoose: My heart doctor recommended it because my cholesterol was high. I told him I was so confused with all the different diets I've tried and he said the only one is the Mediteranean .

snowflake954: I did Paleo for a couple of years and then tried Trim Healthy Mama. But my problem was I didn't stick to it and felt deprived. I am learning to pick and choose the foods I like. For instance I do love olives and feta cheese. But I have to watch my sodium. I blow up like a balloon.

Flyingfingers51: I have to agree with you on this one. But I've just started yesterday, so we'll see how well I loose. But your post is encouraging.

lemurcat12: I just found that site yesterday. I haven't looked at it much, but it has tons of information.

If you cook for yourself start looking at lentils, beans and chickpeas. These can be eaten alone, or with rice or pasta. They are very filling. If you need to watch your salt intake, doing your own cooking means you control how much you put in. I like a salad with olives and feta cheese, but I don't add more salt, since they are already salty. The family I married into is from Puglia in southern Italy. The cooking is generally simple, but quality ingredients. Have fun with it and cook things you like.

sannasb1

Does anyone want to start a group for this? If so, what should we call it. I need to be connected to stay on track.

nowine4me

That’s how I eat. No meat, but lots of veggies, seafood, fruit, nuts, beans, yogurt, seeds, whole grains, coffee and a little red wine.

mmapags

Growing up in an Italian family this diet is my default setting. I've varied it and adapted it over the years but who could not love lots of fresh fruits and veggies, healthy meat and fish portions, nuts and cheeses and olive oil as the basis of your diet?

sannasb1

I am finding out how much good stuff is out there to eat. I never had fruit with my meals, but I do now.

Sabine_Stroehm

lemurcat12 wrote: »

I think a lot of people eat in some ways similar to the Med Diet, it strikes me as quite similar to what I think of as basic healthy eating. (It's how I eat more often than not, although I try to eat somewhat seasonally and live in a colder climate, so there are differences (I don't drink, for example, so no red wine) and I experiment with things.)

Here's a good site: https://oldwayspt.org/history-mediterranean-diet-pyramid

This is the closest to the way I eat as well, and I LOVE the oldways website. I may have even been the first to post it here. Thanks for posting it again!

GottaBurnEmAll

I eat a vegetarian version of this diet, minus the wine since I don't drink. Just a heavy emphasis on lots of fruits and veggies, sources of healthy fats, whole grains, nuts, and seeds. I truly enjoy the food I eat too.

lemurcat12

Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »

lemurcat12 wrote: »

I think a lot of people eat in some ways similar to the Med Diet, it strikes me as quite similar to what I think of as basic healthy eating. (It's how I eat more often than not, although I try to eat somewhat seasonally and live in a colder climate, so there are differences (I don't drink, for example, so no red wine) and I experiment with things.)

Here's a good site: https://oldwayspt.org/history-mediterranean-diet-pyramid

This is the closest to the way I eat as well, and I LOVE the oldways website. I may have even been the first to post it here. Thanks for posting it again!

I think I did discover the site from one of your posts, and I really like it, so thanks!

Orphia

Posting the image for posterity

meagan8376

Update ?

Lillymoo01

This most resembles my diet, except that I eat more red meat than suggested, don't drink wine and need to eat more fish

amusedmonkey

My diet is naturally Mediterranean-like because I live close to that area. My food preferences are more in line with how the typical plant-focused Greek person eats. My red meat intake is naturally low, even lower than the guidelines (maybe once a month or less). I eat less fish and more dairy than the general guidelines, and I don't drink. I got fat eating that way, and I lost weight eating that way. Nutrition-wise it's a pretty balanced way to eat, but you need to keep an eye on calories too if weight management is one of your goals.

yirara

I think this resembles what I eat most. I love fresh produce, large amounts of seasonal veggies (though they are often not Mediterranean, being in Scotland ) But I'm a carboholic, love all sorts of grains. I might be eating a bit more meat or fish than recommended (usually about 100gr per dinner unless I cook something vegetarian). Oh, and I eat a lot of Asian/Indian food, but with a similar thought process. I just don't really like condiments, lots of sauce and the likes (unless it's fermented things like soy or fish sauce).

dragon_girl26

I followed this way of eating more closely when I was actively losing weight. I haven't been as diligent lately, so I'm steering myself back towards it by limiting the amount of red meats that I eat, eating more vegetables, more seafood (this is hardest for me since I don't do well at cooking seafood) and more whole grains. My goal is to eventually eat a vegetarian diet, or as close to it as possible. I'm just trying to figure out the best way to meet my protein goal while doing this.

Seffell

I've always eaten like that. Except the wine - I don't enjoy drinking wine.

ETA: Also I've always been slim. I only gained recently after I changed countries. I don't know how much of a causality relation there is.

Hamsibian

I hope to transition to something similar because that's how I grew up eating - sans alcohol - and miss it. I have a lot of food sensitivities though, so I can see me eating much less grains, dairy, and legumes (if at all), and more red meat.

elsie6hickman

Don't forget that Europeans tend to eat smaller portions than Americans do.

kshama2001

elsie6hickman wrote: »

Don't forget that Europeans tend to eat smaller portions than Americans do.

Very good point. At most restaurants, I only eat half of an entree, but this is not the case for upscale French and Italian restaurants.

NovusDies

I follow my own plan but I drew inspiration from the Med/SB diet. You can, of course, lose weight and be healthier eating different ways but this style suits me and my tastes.

nooshi713

I have always kind of eaten this way plus a bit more dairy. I love the emphasis on fresh food and more produce. After going to Greece 2 years ago and eating many meals based around vegetables, I realized how tasty they can be.