There are so many diets on the market these days; Keto, Paleo, CICO, GOLO, Pegan to name just a few. You just about get your head around your new regime and before you know that rule book is out of the window and the next big thing has come along.
Whatever they promise, they all seem to have the same things in common:
You get great initial results initially but then find it tough to stick to as the rigid rules are nearly impossible to maintain long term.
Feelings of guilt when we eat “bad food” or not enough “good food” take the enjoyment out of eating.
Cutting out food groups such as fats or carbohydrates means we miss out on the essential nutrients that we get from these foods too
Food is an integral part of every culture and most family traditions, restricting what you eat can stop you from engaging in social activities.
Tried and tested, over centuries the “Mediterranean Diet” is different and has numerous health benefits too. No calorie counting, lots of variety, great for the whole family, eating out is easy and you can even have a glass of red wine…. Doesn’t sound like a diet to me!
Here are my top 10 tips for adding a little Med into your life:
1.
Choose brown carbohydrates; wholewheat pasta and cereals, grainy bread, brown rice and skin-on potatoes.
1.
Choose brown carbohydrates; wholewheat pasta and cereals, grainy bread, brown rice and skin-on potatoes.
2.
Build your meals around fruit and vegetables, think of protein as your “side”
2.
Build your meals around fruit and vegetables, think of protein as your “side”
3.
Enjoy fish and lean white meat a couple of times a week, eat red meat less often.
3.
Enjoy fish and lean white meat a couple of times a week, eat red meat less often.
4.
Drizzle extra virgin olive oil, walnut oil or avocado oil in place of butter or margarine.
4.
Drizzle extra virgin olive oil, walnut oil or avocado oil in place of butter or margarine.
5.
Get your protein from lentils, peas, beans, nuts and seeds.
5.
Get your protein from lentils, peas, beans, nuts and seeds.
6.
Enjoy cheese and dairy in moderation.
6.
Enjoy cheese and dairy in moderation.
7.
Make water your go-to though herbal teas, tea and coffee are all allowed
7.
Make water your go-to though herbal teas, tea and coffee are all allowed
8.
Enjoy a small glass of red wine a day, just the one... and no you can’t “save them up” for the weekend.
8.
Enjoy a small glass of red wine a day, just the one... and no you can’t “save them up” for the weekend.
9.
Avoid refined sugar, white carbohydrates and anything labelled “diet”.
9.
Avoid refined sugar, white carbohydrates and anything labelled “diet”.
10.
Where possible enjoy eating with others.
10.
Where possible enjoy eating with others.
To find out more about the health benefits of the Mediterranean Diet and a tailored plan as to how to fit it into your lifestyle get in touch.
