August 2022

THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET:  PART II

 

We covered this topic in the July post, but here we provide some of the recent research regarding this meal plan as well as sample menus.  Enjoy!

It’s no secret by now that people who live in the Mediterranean region—like Greece, Italy, and Spain—live longer and healthier lives than those in many other countries. Beyond their zest for life, chalk it up to what’s on their plates. Enter the Mediterranean diet.

Year after year, the Mediterranean diet is ranked as one of the top diets by a panel of health experts at U.S. News & World Report, and an overwhelming amount of research shows it can lead to sustainable weight loss, improve heart health and brain, and even prevent chronic conditions like diabetes and cancer.

Additionally, a recent study found that swapping out saturated fats like butter, mayonnaise, and dairy fat for olive oil could have benefits on your heart health, increase longevity, lower your risk for cancer, and improve cognitive functioning. Plus, the American Heart Association recently released new heart-healthy guidelines that include a diet that mirrors the Mediterranean diet.

Maybe it’s because the Mediterranean diet doesn’t fit into the restrictive calorie-driven framework of an actual “diet".  But it’s not quite as simple as chowing down on pasta, pizza, and hummus, either. The Mediterranean diet is actually more of a style of eating that involves lots of olive oil, fresh fruits and veggies, fatty fish, and even the occasional glass of red wine.

Here’s everything you need to know to embrace the number one diet in the world.

What is the Mediterranean diet meal plan?

Unlike other diets, the Mediterranean diet is about the foods you should eat, rather than foods you should restrict. There aren’t any major rules about counting your calories, sugar intake, or macros. It simply encourages enjoying whole foods in moderation (what a concept!).

Mediterranean diet foods list

Creating a Mediterranean-approved grocery list is simple, and there are more foods you can add to your cart than foods you should avoid.   Think of the Mediterranean diet as a plant-based eating plan with fish, poultry, and dairy occasionally thrown into the mix.

Eat plenty of:

• Colorful fruits and vegetables
• Fish and other types of seafood at least twice per week
• Olive oil
• Nuts and seeds
• Beans and legumes
• Whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, and oats
• Fresh herbs

Eat in moderation:

• Poultry and eggs
• Dairy like milk, cheese, and yogurt
• Red wine (up to one glass per day for women and two glasses per day for men, if you choose to drink)

Limit your intake:

• Refined grains and oils
• Red meat or deli meats
• Processed or packaged foods
• Foods high in concentrated sweeteners, such as pastries or soda

What are the benefits of the Mediterranean diet?

It wouldn’t be the top diet for multiple years running if it wasn’t really good for you. Unlike many fad diets, there’s an abundance of legitimate studies that back up the benefits of the Mediterranean diet, with highlights in the following areas:

Heart health

Alongside the DASH diet, the Mediterranean diet is known to protect your ticker. One large study of more than 30,000 women found that adherence to the eating plan over a 10-year period led to lower risk of heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure. In another study, participants had lower blood pressure after following the Mediterranean diet for just six months.

What to Know About the DASH Diet

Researchers attribute these positive outcomes to the abundance of heart-healthy nutrients found in the diet’s whole foods, like antioxidants from fresh fruits and veggies, fiber found in whole grains, and healthy unsaturated fats packed in fish, nuts, and olive oil.

Cancer risk

A comprehensive 2017 review states that people living in the Mediterranean region have lower rates of cancer than those in Northern Europe or the United States, and the authors credit this impressive stat to following a Mediterranean diet. Research has also found that loading up on Mediterranean food staples can decrease the levels of inflammatory markers that are associated with tumor growth.

Weight loss

An updated analysis was recently published after nearly 6,000 adults with Type 2 diabetes or risk for cardiovascular disease were assigned a Mediterranean diet plan with olive oil, a Mediterranean diet plan with nuts, or a control diet. Those who followed the Mediterranean diet with nuts saw an improved difference in waistline over a five-year period.

Another study analyzed the diets of over 32,000 Italian participants over the age of 12-years-old. Researchers found those who followed a Mediterranean diet had lower levels of weight gain and less increase in waist circumference.

Type 2 diabetes

In one 2015 review of research, the Mediterranean diet was associated with better glycemic control than other diets. Translation: Researchers think that the high intake of polyphenols (a.k.a. plant compounds that act as antioxidants) from fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nuts can improve insulin sensitivity and therefore reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Brain function

Scientists also surmise that polyphenols may be beneficial for brain health, specifically when it comes to depression, since polyphenols influence neurotransmitters in the brain that possess anti-depression activities.

In addition to regular exercise, quitting smoking, and maintaining a healthy weight, the World Health Organization also specifically recommends following a Mediterranean diet to decrease your risk of developing dementia as it is “the most extensively studied dietary approach in relation to cognitive function.”

Are there any downsides of following a Mediterranean diet?

With its prestigious reputation and science-backed benefits, the Mediterranean diet doesn’t seem to have many cons. One major con of the Mediterranean diet is the cost of following a plan that requires a large number of fresh foods and the time required to prepare them. This can prove difficult for someone working a busy schedule or following a strict budget.  But following this meal plan can save you money on medication and physician visits later on.

And like any eating plan, having certain indulgences in moderation can be tough for some people. The diet limits certain foods, such as alcohol and dairy, so you may feel like you miss them if you follow the Mediterranean diet.  But remember, you don’t have to completely avoid these foods.  Just have them less frequently and in smaller portions.

It also recommends restricting your intake of processed foods, red meat, and sugary desserts. While this is common with any healthy diet, it can be challenging (read: cue the cravings!) at first if you’re used to eating these foods on a regular basis.

How to start the Mediterranean diet

When planning your Mediterranean menu, think outside the box and include colorful ingredients, such as wild blueberries, in your daily diet. Wild blueberries boast anthocyanins, a type of antioxidant that may help boost cognitive function, inhibit growth of certain cancer cells, and even help lower ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol.

Eat fish at least twice per week. Fatty fish such as salmon, sardines, and herring have the omega-3’s EPA and DHA, which can help you lower risk of heart disease.

Here’s a sample meal plan of a typical day on the Mediterranean diet.

• Breakfast: Smoothie with 1 cup wild blueberries, ½ banana, ½ cup plain Greek yogurt, and one tablespoon of nut butter.
• Lunch: Buddha bowl made with ½ cup lentils, 1 to 2 cups various colored veggies, ½ cup chickpeas, 1/3 avocado, and a drizzle of olive oil and lemon juice
• Snack: One to two tablespoons of hummus, sliced bell peppers, and carrots
• Dinner: 3.5 ounces grilled salmon, 1/2 cup cooked brown rice, one cup kale sautéed in one tablespoon olive oil
• Dessert: One ounce of dark chocolate and 1 ounce of nuts

Natalie Rizzo, MS, RD