The Mediterranean Diet
July 20th 2006 04:32
The Mediterranean Diet
In recent years, the Mediterranean-style diet has been praised as a healthy way of eating, and now an SMH report has said that studies have shown it to be a healthier alternative to the low-fat diet. As the names suggests, low-fat dieters reduce total fat intake by not just counting out the bad fats (i.e. saturated and trans fats) but eliminate important unsaturated fats such as monounsaturated fats, which are commonly found in olive oil.
Mediterraneans feed largely on fruits, vegetables and whole grains, with limited amounts of red meat and processed foods, and relatively high amounts of fat from olive oil, nuts and fish oils (omega-3 fatty acids). Studies have shown that people living in the Mediterranean region have lower rates of heart disease, despite their high fat intake.
The University of Barcelona carried out a study where participants followed low-fat or Mediterranean diets for 3 months. The results showed that those on the Mediterranean diet showed small improvements in their good cholestrol levels where low-fat dieters had a decline.
The evidence is there. So when you’re dieting make sure you don’t cut out the good things; a low-fat diet excludes good fats, the Atkin’s diet excludes fruit and vegetables, and fruitarianism ignores the healthy benefits of vegetables, not to mention a whole stack of other nutrients like iron and protein!
In recent years, the Mediterranean-style diet has been praised as a healthy way of eating, and now an SMH report has said that studies have shown it to be a healthier alternative to the low-fat diet. As the names suggests, low-fat dieters reduce total fat intake by not just counting out the bad fats (i.e. saturated and trans fats) but eliminate important unsaturated fats such as monounsaturated fats, which are commonly found in olive oil.
The Mediterranean's Pitcher of Health - Olive Oil
Mediterraneans feed largely on fruits, vegetables and whole grains, with limited amounts of red meat and processed foods, and relatively high amounts of fat from olive oil, nuts and fish oils (omega-3 fatty acids). Studies have shown that people living in the Mediterranean region have lower rates of heart disease, despite their high fat intake.
The University of Barcelona carried out a study where participants followed low-fat or Mediterranean diets for 3 months. The results showed that those on the Mediterranean diet showed small improvements in their good cholestrol levels where low-fat dieters had a decline.
The evidence is there. So when you’re dieting make sure you don’t cut out the good things; a low-fat diet excludes good fats, the Atkin’s diet excludes fruit and vegetables, and fruitarianism ignores the healthy benefits of vegetables, not to mention a whole stack of other nutrients like iron and protein!
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