The Mediterranean DietThe Reasons Health Professionals Recommend This Diet1. Low in Saturated Fat A person giving only a brief review of the Mediterranean diet could come to the conclusion that it is not a healthy diet because it is high in fat. Concluding that the diet is high in fat and harmful is an incorrect assumption. It is true that a Mediterranean diet does have a large percentage of its calories from fat (around thirty percent daily in most instances), the calories come primarily from olive oil and consist of unsaturated fats. In other words, being low in saturated fat, doctors are recommending the Mediterranean diet for their patients. 2. A Plentiful Array of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Doctors are recommending that their patients eat at least six servings of fruits and vegetables throughout the course of the day. Many of these same doctors are turning to this Mediterranean diet because as a matter of routine people who follow this diet program are eating more than the minimum recommended daily allowance of fruits and vegetables. Additionally, rather than using processed fruits and vegetables, a Mediterranean diet features an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables. 3. Low in Red Meat Many doctors can be found encouraging their patients to limit the amount of red meat that they include in their diets. Limiting red meat in a diet can assist in lowering the levels of bad cholesterol, helping to reduce the indigence of heart disease and some cancers. 4. Low in Fatty Dairy Products Another reason that doctors favor this diet is found in the fact that the diet plan is low in the consumption of fatty dairy products. More and more doctors are encouraging their patients to use only low fat or non fat dairy products. People who follow aMediterranean diet actually use very little dairy on a day to day basis. For example, a heavy egg eater on the Med diet eats for eggs a week. Many do not eat eggs at all. In addition, milk is used within the diet in limited fashion. Heavy creams and sauces are not on the Mediterranean diet menu at all. 5. Helpful in Preventing Diseases One of the primary reasons that doctors recommend this diet for their patients rests in the fact that the diet has been researched as helping to reduce the risks of certain diseases, including:
Finally, doctors recommend the Mediterranean diet for their patients because it is high in dietary fiber and whole grains. Both fiber and whole grains have proven important in preventing disease and in maintaining an overall sense of wellness and good health. In accordance with the FDA these products are not intended to treat, cure, mitigate, or prevent any diseases. Information on this site is given for educational purposes only and is not to replace the advice of your health care professional.
|
