11 Reasons Why Mediterranean Diet is a Good Choice

Amy Taylor September 02, 2013

Many health experts believe that the Mediterranean diet is one of the healthiest eating styles in the world. This diet focuses largely on fruits and vegetables, peas, beans, and a moderate amount of fish and chicken. It is also accompanied by red wine. Nuts are a mainstay too but are limited to one handful a day.

Why is the Mediterranean diet good for you?

You don’t need to count calories.

When you eat like Mediterranean people do, you don’t have to be worried about the number of calories you are consuming. Instead, you will focus your attention to choosing good fats over the unhealthy ones. For example, you can have olive oil instead of butter, fish or lean chicken instead of red meat, or fresh fruits instead of sugary sweets.

You can try lots of menus.

Mediterranean-inspired cuisines are not limited to that of Italians or Greeks. You can also find menus that originated from Spain, Morocco, France, Turkey and other countries. Just stick to the basics: fruits and veggies, legumes, and a bit of poultry and fish.

You won’t be hungry.

Many people think that eating healthy means being hungry. The foods you will be eating using the Mediterranean diet are high in fibre, protein and complex carbohydrates that stay longer in your tummy, making you feel full without the need to overeat.

It’s easy to prepare.

You need not be a chef to prepare Mediterranean foods. In Greece, people make use of mezzes – small, easy-to-assemble plates for your own serve-it-cold casual meal. If you don’t like cooking, this diet is good for you. Most of the time, you just have to toss fresh vegetables in your plate, drizzle with healthy fats like olive oil along with feta cheese, nuts and black olives. Yum!

You get to eat fresh food.

There’s a plethora of research suggesting that processed foods increase the risk of heart disease, diabetes, obesity and other major health problems. With the Mediterranean diet, expect to eat foods that are made from scratch using the freshest ingredients. These foods are made deliciously awesome by different herbs and spices and wholesome seasonings. When you shop, you won’t be heading to the frozen section but to the fresh produce, choosing a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables.

You can enjoy wine.

Drinking wine with meals is customary in many Mediterranean countries wherein dining is more leisurely and social. Not only does it make your meal more enjoyable, but one glass of wine in women and two in men could boost heart health.

You can eat bread.

Many dieters skip their favourite – bread – because it is rich in carbohydrates. But with the Mediterranean diet, you can eat bread, as long as it’s made from whole grain. It is healthier than white bread because it is high in fibre, vitamins and other nutrients. What about pasta? You also need not give it up. Just use whole grain pasta. It’s rich in protein too!

You’ll be familiar with different herbs and spices.

Herbs and spices are what make Mediterranean foods incredibly delicious. This way of eating will make you more familiar with the use of coriander, rosemary, basil, turmeric, garlic, pepper, cinnamon and all those healthy stuff. Most herbs and spices contain high levels of antioxidants that wash away free radicals in your body.

You can lose weight.

Because of the right food choice, you can lose weight by following the Mediterranean diet. You are not consuming bad fats and you are eating low-calorie meals so there’s a huge possibility that you will shed extra pounds, especially if you will couple it with physical exercise.

You’ll have a stronger heart.

Plenty of studies suggest that the Mediterranean diet can offer protection against heart disease. In a study published this year in the England Journal of Medicine, researchers said that 30 per cent of heart attacks, strokes and deaths from heart disease can be prevented in people at high risk if they switch to a Mediterranean diet.

You’ll have a healthier brain.

Aside from enhancing your heart health, the Mediterranean diet can also boost your brain health. That’s because you’re feeding your brain with antioxidants and essential nutrients that slow down memory decline and eliminate toxins that can cause mental illness.