The Mediterranean Diet:

The Mediterranean Diet

In this day and age of fad diets, fast food deluge, drive-by shopping, and an ever-increasing mobile population, it is difficult for the average person to be health conscious. This is why it is always good to hear of a "plan" that incorporates everyday food with a healthy outcome that isn't hard to follow and easy on the bank account. There are many of these plans available, but this article is focused on the Mediterranean Diet plan.

What is the Mediterranean Diet?

The Mediterranean Diet has existed for thousands of years, but not until recently has it become the centerpiece of a health-conscious population. In her book, The Mediterranean Diet, registered dietician, Marissa Cloutier, breaks the concept down and shows how using olive oil during the cooking process instead of butter, natural sugars, fruits, vegetables, fish and chicken instead of red meat can improve one's health while limiting cholesterol and fat consumption. "On the Mediterranean diet, you prepare meals using olive oil instead of saturated fats like butter, eat plenty of fruit and vegetables, and eat fish or chicken instead of red meat" (Sayburn, 2008).

Who developed it?

Nobody truly developed the diet. It is just a natural extension of the healthy benefits of those people living in the geographic Mediterranean area. This area includes Greece, Italy, France, Spain, Turkey, North Africa, and the Middle East.

Does the Mediterranean Diet actually work?

This is the hundred-dollar question. The bottom line is whether the diet actually works. To answer this question, lets take a look at what some of the more prominent authorities on the subject are saying.

In a July Consumer Reports article, the Mediterranean Diet was reviewed and discussed in a positive light:

"The new study also looks at the Mediterranean diet. The study followed people for two years, as they tried to stick to their diets. Most people lost some weight, no matter which diet they followed. But people on the Mediterranean diet lost an average of 3 to 4 pounds more than people on the traditional low-fat diet" (Sayburn, 2008)

Not only is Consumer Reports talking favorably about this diet, the medical community is also reporting positive outcomes when following this diet. A 2008 Mayo Clinic report had this to say:

"A 2007 study conducted in the United States found that both men and women who consumed a Mediterranean diet lowered their risk of death from both heart disease and cancer.
Key components of the Mediterranean diet include:

� Eating a generous amount of fruits and vegetables
� Consuming healthy fats such as olive oil and canola oil
� Eating small portions of nuts
� Drinking red wine, in moderation, for some
� Consuming very little red meat
� Eating fish on a regular basis "
(Mayo Clinic, 2008)

In conclusion, in this era of fad diets and information overload, it is becoming more difficult to differentiate between what is real and what is just another slick marketing scheme designed to separate the average citizen from their hard earned money. However, the Mediterranean Diet seems to have merit and has been proven in at least one scientific study to lower risk of heart disease. This is no small accomplishment and the upside is getting to enjoy all the delicious food available from this culturally diverse region.