Reasons to follow a Mediterranean diet

Reasons to follow a Mediterranean diet

According to a case study from a small group of the Greek population, it was seen and suggested that a diet that has fresh fruits and greens, fewer calories, whole grains, olive oil, and less animal protein is the healthiest in the world. This diet can reduce the risk of strokes and cardiac issues, bringing down the early mortality rates and increasing your life span. The Mediterranean diet is strongly recommended by health and well-being enthusiasts around the globe. The typical American food is, unfortunately, far from healthy. According to statistics from 2013, the 35 to 40-year-old average American male already looks like a 40 to 59-year-old. In fact, Americans eat junk food 4 times as much as Greeks despite lesser consumption of red meat and protein.

Overview of farming in the country
There is a large amount of corn and soybeans that Americans grow every year, and this stock is delivered to China in great amounts. The farming of corn and soybeans can disrupt the land and increases the chances of soil erosion. If farmers in the country planned to diversify their crops with more whole grains, vegetables, and such other crops, vegetables that can reduce bad cholesterol can be grown. Farmers can also start adding crops like Kernza®, which harvests every year. This could help in increasing the produce of healthy alternatives, leading to a better diet and optimal health results.

The ideal Mediterranean diet
A Mediterranean diet comprises less red meat and more seafood, along with greens, olive oil, and whole grains. The Mediterranean diet does not mean just one kind of diet. Around 16 countries share their border with the Mediterranean sea, and the kinds of diets even in these countries can vary. Cultural differences, the background of each family, the kind of agricultural harvest, GDP, and many such factors matter when one needs to follow a certain kind of Mediterranean diet. This kind of a diet usually considers the following:

  • Add increased amounts of fruits, vegetables, cereals, potatoes, beans, nuts, and seeds to the daily diet.
  • Switch to olive oil from normal vegetable oil or bran oil.
  • Reduce the consumption of dairy products and increase the consumption of fish and other seafood.
  • Consume red meat in moderation.
  • Reduce the consumption of eggs to twice a week.
  • Try to have a sip of wine with every meal as that helps in better digestion of food.
  • People who follow a good Mediterranean diet consume mono-saturated fats to help in controlling the cholesterol levels and decreasing the bad cholesterol from the body.

A person who eats healthy food and follows the Mediterranean diet faces a reduced risk of heart diseases. The risk of heart diseases is not solely because of the current diet but also due to a sedentary lifestyle. The Mediterranean diet can help solve this problem by incorporating healthy alternatives of food that strengthen the immune system.