Five Things a Mediterranean Diet is Not

There is more solid scientific evidence for the benefits of the Mediterranean Diet than any other popular diet in the world. It has been shown to be protective against heart disease and stroke, cancer and obesity, diabetes and even dementia. People who consume a Mediterranean Diet live longer than those who do not.

But like any good thing, it is victimized by promoters selling diets that are radically different who are trying to bask in its Mediterranean glow. Here are five things that the true Mediterranean Diet is not.

1. It is not low fat.

It includes plenty of fat. But most of it is the healthy monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) found in olive, avocado, nut and seed oils, not the saturated fats found in red meats.

2. It is not low carb.

The Med Diet includes plenty of grains such as pasta, wheat, bulgar, farro and barley. The key is to eat it in moderation.

3. It is not vegetarian.

While beef, pork and lamb are considered luxuries in many Mediterranean countries and are reserved for special occasions, they are certainly a part of the diet. Seafood is a staple as are dairy products and poultry.

4. It is not about the latest "superfood".

The Med Diet is an eating pattern. No single food explains its power. It is about shifting your overall approach to eating and maintaining it for many years.

5. Its not a license to drink.

Alcohol, mainly in the form of red wine, has its place in the healthy Med Diet. But it is, again, a pattern of moderate drinking, almost always taken with meals. Drinking more that that, especially without eating, is the exact opposite of the Mediterranean way.

Now that you know what the Mediterranean Diet is not, next time I will take a look at what is is, and how you can easily incorporate some of its features into your own pattern of eating and begin to enjoy its health benefits yourself.