Living the Mediterranean Lifestyle
By Emily Roberts
The Mediterranean Diet is based on the eating patterns in the Mediterranean region and focuses on fruits, vegetables, fish, whole grains and healthy fats (1). A diet not invented, but discovered, is now recognized as one of the healthiest dietary patterns (2). UNESO defines it as “a social practice based on all the “savoir-faire”, knowledge, traditions ranging from the landscape to the table and covering the Mediterranean Basin, cultures, harvesting, fishing, conservation, processing, preparation, cooking and in particular the way we consume” (3). The Mediterranean region is considered the Mediterranean Basin that borders the Mediterranean Sea and includes parts of seven countries: France, Portugal, Italy, Spain, Greece, Malta and Cyprus (4). There have been foreseen health benefits of consuming this diet, classifying it as “heart healthy” due to its likelihood to reduce the risk for heart disease (5,6). Living on the southern coast of France, I not only experience the Mediterranean lifestyle, but I have the opportunity to consume a Mediterranean Diet.
The Discovery
Typical Foods
The Benefits
My observations
The Mediterranean Diet is not an effort, rather a daily practice for many Europeans. As Americans, we may recommend it as a diet intervention or integrate it into our own eating habits for health reasons. This diet is seen to be successful by offering significant health benefits. This encourages me to try various diets from around the world that could potentially provide various health benefits for Americans, as well as a taste of a new culture.
1.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3684452/