Health

Why
Mediterranean Diet is Different from American Diet

a) It is
widely known that Mediterranean diet has high fat content. Is weight
loss still possible if people will follow this kind of diet?

To some
extent, Mediterranean diet really has a high fat content. But you
have to take note that the fat content of a Mediterranean diet
consists of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. These fats are
essential and healthy for your body unlike the saturated fat which is
common in American diet. Do take note also that calorie intake is
the determining factor for weight loss and not fat consumption. If
you follow the Mediterranean diet, you will enjoy lots of healthy
benefits but you still need to lower your daily calorie consumption
to achieve weight loss.

b) What makes
Mediterranean diet different from American diet?

Mediterranean
diet includes plenty of healthy food choices like vegetables, olive
oils, nuts, cereals, potatoes, breads, and many more. It does not
focus on red meat, eggs, and poultry products which are the common
component of the typical American diet.

c) Is it true
that Mediterranean diet played a major role in lowering the rate of
heart disease in the region?

Mediterranean
diet plays an important role in lowering the incidences of
cardiovascular disorder. This finding has been proven by major
research and studies. More importantly, the success of the
Mediterranean diet comes from the fact that it promotes a holistic
approach to healthy living. By following the Mediterranean diet, you
will learn how to eat healthy and how to maintain a healthy
lifestyle.

d) Is
exercise still required if one is following a Mediterranean diet?

Exercise is
always essential no matter what type of diet you follow. The best
thing about the Mediterranean diet is that it encourages daily
regular exercises as part of the holistic approach to achieve a
healthy lifestyle. When this type of diet was introduced in the
sixties, exercise and physical activities were already part of the
culture of the Mediterranean people. For your minimum exercise
needs, you have to take a daily one-hour walk and weekly full body
exercise.

e) Is
Mediterranean diet different from Low Carb diet?

There is a
sea of difference between these two diets. With the Mediterranean
diet, your protein consumption would be lower. Normally, you will
get 15 percent of your calorie consumption from the protein content
of a Mediterranean diet.

f) People
observed that wine is included in the Mediterranean diet. What is
the daily recommended amount for wine consumption?

For your
general guidance, you have to consume wine in low to moderate
amounts. For male dieters, your daily calorie consumption from wine
should be 5 percent. For women, it should be lower or about 2.5
percent.

g) Final word
of advice

The
Mediterranean lifestyle is your way to achieve good health. You need
to include foods in your diet that are rich in Omega 3, root crops,
and vegetable oils. Combine these with breads, cereals and fruits
and you can prevent heart disease.

About the
Author - Eva Alexander writes for <a href="http://mediterraneandiet.org.uk/">mediterranean
diet plan</a> , her personal hobby blog focused on tips to eat
healthy on the Mediterranean way.