Seven Reasons the Mediterranean Heart Diet is Best

There are literally thousands of diet plans in existence around the world, and many people have tried many different diets and failed. Part of the problem is that normally when people decide they need to go on a "diet" they deny themselves many of the foods that they love. This is a mission that is destined to fail from the start.

The Mediterranean Heart Diet is a heart-healthy eating plan which uses elements of Mediterranean-style cooking gleaned from the eating habits of people in southern Italy, Greece, and the Island of Crete-where the occurrence of chronic disease is among the lowest in the world. This eating plan was introduced at a conference in 1993 by Oldways Preservation Trust (a food think-tank,) Harvard School of Public Health, and the World Health Organization, and is thought to be the most healthful way of eating for long-term good health.

There are many reasons to change your way of eating to Mediterranean style. Among them:

1. Among one of the most studied diet plans in the world, research into the Mediterranean way of eating goes back as far as World War II Crete. Researchers concluded that residents had better cardiovascular health than Americans, even after all the turmoil of the war. This initial study spawned many, many more- and all of them concluded that diet was the reason for the overall good health of people in the region.

2. The foods you have to choose from are absolutely delicious, and you will never feel deprived eating this way. The Mediterranean diet pyramid provides lots of nutritious fruits and vegetables, yummy olive oil, fish and shellfish at least twice per week, eggs, cheese, and dairy in moderation, poultry a few times per week, and red meat only a few times each month. You may also eat whole grain breads and pasta, as well as a handful of nuts each day. You are encouraged to drink water, and also can have red wine in moderation (if your doctor deems it okay for you.)

3.Proven health benefits. Among the many health benefits researchers have attributed to the Mediterranean heart diet:

- Reduces risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s.
- Reduces risk of prostate cancer, and other forms of cancer.
- Reduces risk of Type 2 diabetes.
- Reduces bad cholesterol and increases good cholesterol.
- Reduces blood pressure.
- Reduces allergies and asthma.
- Reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke.

4. The Mediterranean heart diet encourages socialization and eating your meals with family and friends. Make mealtime an occasion and linger over that glass of wine. The Mediterranean diet philosophy is that meals are very social events and should be shared with friends and loved ones.

5. Daily exercise is encouraged in all forms: walking, running, soccer, jogging, tennis, golf, swimming, house cleaning, hiking, gardening, scuba diving, basketball, baseball, football, skiing, surfing, yard work, rollerblading, dancing, weight lifting, and love-making. This plan does not limit what you should do to get fit- the key is to get moving.

6. Sustainability. This diet plan is one of the best when it comes to thinking green. When the majority of your foods are fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, often grown locally- you are making a great choice for the environment. There are no greenhouse gasses emitted by transporting the food, and there are no chemicals made as preservatives for those "junk foods" you previously ate.

7.You will look and feel fantastic! This eating plan has shown, time and again, that people who adhere to it (and it’s much easier to do that than with most "diets") drop significant excess weight, look and feel healthier and enjoy lifelong health!

There, you now have seven sound, logical reasons to consider the Mediterranean diet as the first place to start for your personal heart diet.