The Mediterranean diet is a that can help take the guesswork out of healthy eating. There's a good reason the meal plan consistently ranks at the top of overall best diets in : It's an inclusive eating pattern chock full of healthy and satisfying foods, not a restrictive plan. The Mediterranean diet, which is rich in lean protein, whole grains and fresh produce, has major benefits for weight loss as well as brain and heart health, research shows.
A new study published in found that women who followed the Mediterranean diet had a lower risk for death over 25 years. Dietitians also love the Mediterranean diet because it's full of affordable, accessible foods that are tasty and versatile — including many that you probably already love to eat. In other words, eating the Mediterranean diet boosts your health and it feels like a pleasure, rather than a chore.
The Mediterranean diet includes foods that are native to the countries bordering the Mediterranean sea — namely Greece, Italy, Spain, Morocco, Egypt and Lebanon. The diet plan prioritizes foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains and legumes while reducing sugar, sodium, highly processed foods, refined carbs, saturated fats and fatty or processed meats. Basically, the Mediterranean diet is effective because it naturally includes nutrient-dense plant-based foods and excludes unhealthy additives.
These foods also tend be high in lean and as well as heart-healthy fats. The Mediterranean diet is both flexible and accessible,.