What is the Mediterranean diet?

yirara

I would say my diet is rather Mediterranean, including Northern African and Middle Eastern (plus a bit pile of Asian food). I've traveled extensively all around the Med and often stayed for weeks. Thus typical Greek food for me is not a big pile of meat served in especially tourist restaurants, but a lot more what locals eat. I just wish I had more fish, but it's just too expensive here to have regularly. Oh well...

MikePfirrman

lemurcat2 wrote: »

MikePfirrman wrote: »

The American idea of the Mediterranean Diet is what's wrong. Many think it's the spaghetti or pizza diet.

I don't think that's true at all, anymore. I can't imagine anyone I know claiming that's what eating the med diet is, but for as a joke.

I do think the "Med Diet" as usually used in the US is only somewhat like how people really eat (or historically ate) in the region and also that one cannot generalize about how people eat there since it is such a diverse region.

I would also argue that just because something is not traditionally consumed in the mediterranean doesn't mean it makes sense for an American who wants to be healthy to avoid it. I just ate half an avocado with my lunch. That would not be mediterranean, but it is the kind of food that fits with the general foods eaten on that diet.

Maybe I'm more cynical than you, but I joined a Facebook group of supposed Med Diet followers and their idea of that diet was 8 oz of veggies with 1 lb of mozzarella melted all over it, sprinkled with parmesan. I swear, like every other post. Suffice to say, I'm not in the group any longer.

People on MFP are a lot brighter than the general public, overall.

lemurcat2

MikePfirrman wrote: »

lemurcat2 wrote: »

MikePfirrman wrote: »

The American idea of the Mediterranean Diet is what's wrong. Many think it's the spaghetti or pizza diet.

I don't think that's true at all, anymore. I can't imagine anyone I know claiming that's what eating the med diet is, but for as a joke.

I do think the "Med Diet" as usually used in the US is only somewhat like how people really eat (or historically ate) in the region and also that one cannot generalize about how people eat there since it is such a diverse region.

I would also argue that just because something is not traditionally consumed in the mediterranean doesn't mean it makes sense for an American who wants to be healthy to avoid it. I just ate half an avocado with my lunch. That would not be mediterranean, but it is the kind of food that fits with the general foods eaten on that diet.

Maybe I'm more cynical than you, but I joined a Facebook group of supposed Med Diet followers and their idea of that diet was 8 oz of veggies with 1 lb of mozzarella melted all over it, sprinkled with parmesan. I swear, like every other post. Suffice to say, I'm not in the group any longer.

People on MFP are a lot brighter than the general public, overall.

I find the people I know in real life a lot more sensible and knowledgeable than most of the stuff I've seen people report from Facebook groups in general. That I rarely go on Facebook (I occasionally wish someone happy birthday or look for new photos of their kids/pets) is likely a positive thing for me not completely spiraling about the state of the world. ;-)

elyttabandytta

hi you all who agree and disagree I put this post out here just to see all of your reactions the thing is I always tried all this diets and I always was craving low carb ,high protein so on and on but after studying the mediaterranean diet and put it in practice it makes my soul happy yes and whole wheat bread is not bad you just make sure its 100% whole wheat and no sugar of course

Diatonic12

nooshi713

The majority of what is eaten on the Mediterranean diet is Whole Foods including grains, vegetables, fruits, some seafood and dairy, and olives/oil and nuts. People in that region do eat pasta and bread but not in the huge portions eaten here. Alfredo sauce is not Italian. That’s an American invention. They rarely eat red meat.

When I visited Greece, I was amazed at how tasty they made their vegetables. I had never eaten Lima beans that tasty. Lol. The food was very fresh and minimally processed. At one restaurant on the island of Crete, I had a salad of “mountain greens”, lettuces that I had never seen before in my life. One of my best friends is half Greek and when I’m at her house, they eat tons of veggies. That’s how I think of it.

frankiesgirlie

The time I spent in the Mediterranean, the whole meal was what is considered a first course in America.
Honestly, if it wasn’t for the delicious bread which they served herbed virgin olive oil on the side, my husband would have left restaurants starving and looking for a Burger King.
It’s lighter food by most American standards.

snowflake954

nooshi713 wrote: »

The majority of what is eaten on the Mediterranean diet is Whole Foods including grains, vegetables, fruits, some seafood and dairy, and olives/oil and nuts. People in that region do eat pasta and bread but not in the huge portions eaten here. Alfredo sauce is not Italian. That’s an American invention. They rarely eat red meat.

When I visited Greece, I was amazed at how tasty they made their vegetables. I had never eaten Lima beans that tasty. Lol. The food was very fresh and minimally processed. At one restaurant on the island of Crete, I had a salad of “mountain greens”, lettuces that I had never seen before in my life. One of my best friends is half Greek and when I’m at her house, they eat tons of veggies. That’s how I think of it.

I live in Rome and we eat the Med diet everyday. It's incredible what many people say it is.

Pasta Alfredo was invented in Rome--the original restaurant is still there. It was invented by the owner for his wife who was pregnant at the time and couldn't keep anything down and so wasn't eating. It was something she could eat. The dish became a huge success especially with the American film stars of the day who were filming in Rome.

In Italy we eat a lot of pasta and bread. They are staple foods. How they are prepared is the key and what you eat with them matters. I make pasta almost every single day. That's typical here.

snowflake954

As for red meat verses fish, both are eaten depending on the region and avaliability but probably not in quantities that you're used to.