A Brief Rundown of the “Diet”
The Mediterranean Diet, now sweeping the internet by storm, is a diet stemming from predominantly Greece and other neighboring countries. Unlike our traditional understanding of the word “diet,” it is meant to be a permanent change in your cuisine and way of living. Consisting of lots of fats, protein and fresh vegetables, this diet is optimal for satiety and nutritional needs.
There is a reason the Greek island of Ikaria is known for its residents having long lives and minimal health complications—and the proof is in the pudding, well, more like the olive oil. Ikaria is one of five blue zones in the world. After extensive research, it was found that diet was one of the biggest reasons for their longevity—and it's a diet similar to many other people living around the Mediterranean Sea.
The Health Benefits
People on the Greek island tend to live longer and have fewer health issues than others worldwide. Okay, cool, now what? So what does this mean for you, and what health benefits can this way of eating can provide? Well, to put them plainly, a Mediterranean diet can:
Fats are Bad? Feta, Please.
As previously mentioned, healthy fats are central to this diet. These fats include nuts, avocados and olive oil. We’re sad to report that cheese was not included in the list, but it is still present in the diet and necessary to keep the heart happy. Over the past few years, with diets like the ketogenic, doctors and researchers have been fighting to debunk the myth that all fats are bad—and they aren’t.
The Mediterranean diet prioritizes all the good fats, the ones that make your heart happy and cognitive function at peak performance. Recall that Howard Shultz, the CEO of Starbucks, recently released the Oleato line. He based it on his health regimen of having a tablespoon of olive oil daily for health reasons. And that health reason is that fats like olive oil will reduce inflammation, make your skin absolutely glow and many other amazing things to improve your life. So leave that early 2000s low-fat BS at the door and indulge in healthy fats. And unhealthy ones on occasion—we don’t believe in depriving ourselves of a treat.
Meals to Inspire You
The biggest hurdle in changing eating habits usually regards simply knowing what to cook or how to brainstorm meals. Well, to put you on the right track, here is a list of Mediterranean meal ideas:
