There has been a lot of buzz around dieting for many years. “This diet is the best” “that diet is the best”… and the next thing you know, you don’t anything else about that so-called “best diet” Why? Because it was more than likely another dieting fad. Dieting fads are the worst because they lack longevity and they’re not sustainable. In other words, they’re “here today, and gone tomorrow.”
In all honesty, there are no one-size-fits-all diet plans. You hear people all the time talking about certain diet plans and how they “swore by it” or “would recommend it to anyone” but when they finish telling you about it, ask them if they’re still doing it… their answer will more than likely be no. The reason why they’re not doing it still can be for a number of reasons but the reason doesn’t even matter… the fact that they’re not still on that diet is reason enough for you to not try it.
And that’s the thing about diets… it shouldn’t be something you do to fit into a bikini or to look fabulous for your birthday… because will you continue the diet after your birthday or will you continue the diet after you look great in your bikini? Most people don’t continue their diets after they’ve reached their short-term goal, and the next thing you know, they’ve gained back all the weight they’ve lost. That’s the very reason why dieting should be a lifestyle change, not a short-term goal.
You can’t have short-term goals and expect long-term results…
Again, this is why people gain all the weight they’ve lost, back. You’ve probably heard people talk about making lifestyle changes, and dieting is one of them. Because there are so many diets out there, it can be very challenging and even overwhelming to know what to look for when choosing an effective diet plan but the main thing to consider is its longevity (how long has it been around? Are people still doing it?) and its sustainability (will I be able to stick with this diet with my lifestyle?).
Although there isn’t a one-size-fits-all diet plan, there is a diet plan that hits all the marks in longevity and sustainability and it’s called the Mediterranean Diet. The Mediterranean Diet’s history originates from the food traditions and eating patterns of the people living in countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea.
The Benefits
The interesting part about the diet is that it’s been around for thousands of years and wasn’t labeled as a diet until the 1960s when researchers discovered its cardiovascular and other health benefits, including weight loss… and it’s still relevant to this day. A study published by the New England Journal of Medicine found that if you incorporate more nuts and olive oil into your diet, you’ll reduce your chance of heart disease by 30%.
The Food
The Mediterranean Diet originates from the traditions and eating habits of people living near the Mediterranean Sea, you can probably imagine that fish is one of the main sources of protein. But there are also lots of chicken inspired recipes as well that are jam-packed with protein and flavor. Some Mediterranean staples to keep fully stocked in your kitchen include:
- Nuts and seeds
- Legumes
- Beans
- Vegetables
- Dried fruits
- Fresh herbs and spices
- Fish
Lots of people have started this diet and never left… they’ve actually turned it into a lifestyle. And that’s the thing about the Mediterranean Diet… it’s not just about the food… it is indeed a lifestyle.
The Mediterranean Mind and Body
When you adopt the Mediterranean lifestyle, your life isn’t just centered around the food… it has a lot to do with your mind and body as well. The Mediterranean lifestyle is about relaxing and incorporating exercise into your daily life. If you take on this lifestyle, meals are not rushed nor are they spent in front of the TV or looking at your phone. Your phone and the TV are two big contributors to stress and that’s the last thing you need at mealtimes.
After dinner, you might try to take a relaxing walk around your neighborhood to help your food digest instead of immediately going to lay down or go to bed. You may not be able to always incorporate these Mediterranean ways into your daily life but if you can at least put the phone down while you’re eating and take walks a few days out of the week, then you’re already off to a great start and will be living the Mediterranean lifestyle full-on before you know it.
