Check out the following 6 facts, dispelling the myths, by the law of science.
1. Eating green
Contrary to popular conception, this diet does not consist of huge amounts of meat protein. In fact, in an ideal diet of the Mediterranean, red meat is allotted usually only up to four servings in a month!
That should be the weekends! It consists of plenty of vegetables, which are, most importantly, home-grown most of the time. Vegetables, including the wild greens, are eaten as much as 6 servings daily in the ideal diet of the Mediterranean.
The scientific benefits of a vegetable diet are nothing new to explain. The greens nourish your body with the rich supply of all kinds of minerals, proteins, vitamins, carbohydrates, water, and dietary fibers. Numerous vegetable recipes are available online and in your local bookstore cookbook.
2. Diet based on olive oil
Olive oil features heavily in the Mediterranean food plan. Not only are all foods cooked in olive oil, but it is also drizzled on the salads and dressings.
Now, suddenly using olive oil to cook may be a change slightly difficult to adapt, but it has immense benefits. It is especially beneficial to heart patients, being rich in Mono Unsaturated Fatty Acids or MUFAs.
This ingredient is way better than saturated and trans fats for heart health. It is also good for preventing the onset of type 2 diabetes. However, you need to remember keeping moderation on the oil, though. Excess of anything is always unbalanced. Extra Virgin olive oil is actually considered the healthiest type of fat in any diet plan.
3. Moderate red wine
Another popular misconception associated with a Mediterranean diet plan is that it should include bottles of red wine at any meal! Well, that is completely wrong.
The Mediterranean diet, descending from the rich classical heritage of Europe, maintains a royal way of dining, where stuffing with food is considered uncouth!
The idea is to delight in balanced delicacies instead of eating or drinking without control. Red wine is included daily of course, but never in excess. One or two glasses with the meal are considered enough for pleasantries! Drinking too much in a competitive urge and passing away from it is, unfortunately, an American invention largely. Al moderation, red wine keeps the heart healthy and the moods lively!
4. Go easy on pastas
As mentioned in the intro, eating pasta as the main dish is again an American improvisation of the Mediterranean specialty. Yes, diet here includes flour, but it is also as a side dish.
Pasta and spaghetti rarely make up the main course, although they can be good ideas for breakfast or evening snacks. However, cereal and flour products do make up the base of the pyramid in the Mediterranean diet.
Ideally, up to 8 servings of flour items are included in daily meals. Options include whole-grain bread, brown rice, and whole grain pasta. The world favorite pizza also comes from Italy! Flour produces are very rich in carbohydrates, which is good up to a balanced extent. Excessive splurging leads to obesity and related health issues.
5. Live strong
Mediterranean diet is credited with a strong and healthy life. While it is true that it is a highly balanced diet, anyone intending to try the diet must consider the fact that lifestyle also plays a key part in healthy living.
Grecian villages have steep roads going up and down and women do a lot of physical exercises almost by default. The appreciation of good culture is yet another vital aspect of life in Italy and Greece. In addition, the diet is very native!
Essentially, the tradition of eating organic farm products is only natural here instead of shelves stuffed with GMO foods. Genetically modified foods are bad for your health. Period! Independent studies unmistakably show GMO foods to carry a huge potential for cancer and infertility among other risks.
6. About smoking
Along with red wine, smoking also makes up a big part of the Mediterranean lifestyle! Smoking is indeed a mysterious habit! Talking about the Mediterranean, look up the wonderful island of Ikaria in Greece.
Named after the fallen legendary hero Icarus, Ikaria has one of the highest rates of women crossing over 100 years in the whole world!
The famous CIA Handbook, 2007 edition enlists Greece as the third global country with highest per-capita cigarette consumption every year!
Last year, a correspondent of The Guardian visited the island to find their secret of longevity. He met Gregoris Tsashas, who is over 100 years old, and has smoked at least a pack of cigarettes every day for the last 70 years! Of course, it always depends on the individuals’ preference on smoke or not to smoke.