What is the Mediterranean diet? The diet meal plan, explained - TODAY

People who live in countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea tend to have lower levels of heart disease and live longer than Americans.

The Mediterranean diet is loaded with vegetables, fruits, whole grains and pulses.

To make it easier to understand, in 1993 the nonprofit group Oldways partnered with the Harvard School of Public Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) to create the Mediterranean Diet Pyramid, a healthier alternative to the USDA food pyramid.

News and World Report rated the Mediterranean diet best overall and easiest to follow in 2018, 2019 and 2020.

The diet may help you:.

It found an association between the Mediterranean diet and lower levels of weight gain and less increase in waist circumference.

The American Heart Association reports that a Mediterranean diet might help reduce excess cholesterol and keep blood vessels open.

If you’re accustomed to a meat-and-potatoes diet, or to eating a lot of fast food and convenience food, you might want to transition gradually to the Mediterranean diet

The Mediterranean approach might not be an ideal choice if you’re looking for a diet that provides a lot of structure or specific meal plans to lose weight

What is the Mediterranean diet food list

Red meat and sweets are part of Mediterranean diet recipes infrequently, and wine is allowed in moderation

The pyramid is built on a base of physical activity and shared meals — food is meant to be enjoyed with others

It can help you stay healthy and it may also help you maintain a healthy weight

Talk with your doctor before starting the Mediterranean diet or any other diet — your doctor can recommend the best eating plan for you, based on your health needs