It’s been waaaaaaay too long since I wrote a post. Usually that’s a sign that I’m not behaving on my diet. And that was true – along with a long list of other excuses.
I went to my annual doctor visit and this particular doctor is all about nutrition. He finally scarred me enough to make some changes – permanent changes – in my life. He believes that we should all be eating the Mediterranean diet. And, no it’s not a diet program – it’s a way of eating. Eating like the people from countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. Greece, Italy – wonderful places like those.
When I returned home from the doctor – I decided that I am going to change my lifestyle NOW. So,I got rid of all the junk food in the house. I made a list of the new foods that I should be eating and made a list for the grocery store. The basic idea of the diet is this -
- only whole grains, complex carbohydrates – no more white flour, white rice, etc.
- very little meat – when we have meat, it is very lean
- fish, fish, fish
- no dairy – only organic non-fat plain yogurt; no cheese – except for a little Parmesan on whole wheat pasta and the like
- lots of fruit, but no fruit juices
- even more vegetables
-Â olive oil
In addition to the food changes, my doctor also put me on a regimen of nutritional supplements.
More about the supplements in the next post!
Posted on August 31st, 2010 by lizzie
Filed under: Daily Grind, Life in General, Weight Loss Ramblings
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Looks pretty good! My diet program is simple, and quite similar… its working really well for me: 1) No sugar. 2) No alcohol. 3) Olive oil (organic = no pesticides) instead of butter. 4) No meat except fish 5) smaller portions more often as opposed to big portions 3 times a day. I only read about this recently but it made perfect sense – the body can only process a certain number of calories in one meal, so a small meal gets “burned up”, whereas a big meal doesn’t. The concept was to eat the same amount over all, but spread it out. It took me a while to get used to “not pigging out” but I feel better and don’t get that “wiped out” feeling I used to get after a big meal.
Alex.
Oh yeah, one more secret – don’t go food shopping when you are hungry.
Sounds a perfect dietary plan to me. Fish provides with so much protein value to the body that one can only imagine of finding an alternative for this blessing. Thank you for the suggestions, they are really helpful for me.
You might want to take another look at non-fat yogurt. It may seems counter intuitive, but I don’t think the whole yogurt is bad… in fact it’s good for you. There is something to be said about something in it’s natural form. The fat helps your body break down the protein.
If you are eating everything else on your list, having whole yogurt will be fine. It’s the refined sugars and starches you mentioned that you definitely need to cut out.
Check out Doug Kaufman’s Know the Cause website. That will really amaze you. Also remember to Google xtralac…. I only tell you because I wish I had found it YEARS ago. It’s a probiotic that will help with balance and cravings for my favorite food….. BREAD!
Yes, I know about this diet. Even my doctor recommended me the same.Mediterranean Diet is more than a diet. It is a lifelong living style. It is considered to be the healthiest diet in the world and also the best way to prevent diseases.But being a Mediterranean Diet follower not only means choosing your food. It is also of capital importance knowing what you should avoid. Be careful with the main meals, and supervise the lunches.
The Mediterranean Diet is also the best way to prevent many diseases.It is more than a diet. It is a lifelong living style.The Mediterranean diet traditionally includes fruits, vegetables, pasta and rice.It features olive oil as the primary source of fat.It is a delicious and healthy way to eat. Many people who switch to this style of eating say they’ll never eat any other way.Nuts are another part of a healthy Mediterranean diet.
It is not diet program… It is thrilling program
It is all about lifestyle. Somehow we have been trained to eat foods that taste good. Sad how the culture we live in supports unhealthy eating.
All the best!
Ron
yah, I’ve seen that in some movies… I heard in ancient time fat is beautiful they say at that time so I guess diet is not a problem during those days.
I’ve been slim since child, I don’t eat much in break fast nor lunch and dinner just a few rice and meal or fist I often eat vegetable.
Well done and taking action people spend to much time thinking about doing something rather then TAKING ACTION!
Good Job
Aww, I hope you stick to it, i’ve lost over 2 stone in 3 months, I just started to eat a little healthier, only a little i.e. stop the take aways and i started jogging, well walking for first month, then got the urge and it has really worked for me because i hate diets and can’t stick to them.
Clean eating is definitely the way to go! You have so much more energy. Check out Tosca Reno’s cookbook. Love, love, love it! She also contributes stuff to Oxygen Magazine
The most effective diet is no diet. It is all about focusing on a lifestyle and making a life long commitment. I have learned that the best foods to put in your body are those that are the simplest. Don’t try and make a meal that is complicated – stick to the basics.
I prefer to eat more fish for my diet, because i very like fresh fish. Anyway you have nice article and nice picture
Whats wrong with meat. Chicken is one of the best things you can eat. High protein helps you retain muscle.
Hey, Denver Guy, There is nothing wrong with meat – I’ve never been really keen on meat, but that’s just me. My doctor is very concerned with all the hormones and other “unnatural” things that are given to our livestock that we ingest too. For me – fish (but not all fish) are a healthier option.
I don’t want to condemn the eating habits or foods of anyone – this is just what I do.
Thanks for commenting
- Lizzie
I am curious as to what supplements you would need with that diet. I am not surprised that a “Mediterranean” diet would not have much meat? Where can I see the Mediterranean diet?
EliKen
[...] But my latest visit with my doctor, convinced me that I REALLY needed to change for the sake of my health. That’s when I changed my lifestyle and adopted the Mediterranean diet. The change was dramatic and difficult for the first many days, but became easier and easier with each passing day. Sugar was the most difficult “food group” to give up. I would seriously crave sugar, desserts, CHOCOLATE – everything I used to love. Evenings were the most difficult time of day. That’s when I would always have the most sugar. It was almost like a reward for getting through the day. [...]
I like this idea of eating more whole grains and less meat and dairy, but for some reason I CANNOT give up cheese. How have your efforts been going with this? I have been trying Silk soy milk and I like it a lot so that change hasn’t been as difficult. Let me know if you have any feedback!
Yes the Mediterranean lifestyle has been shown to reduce heart disease. There are loads of olive oil, garlic, and fish in this way of life. All healthy.
This would be a perfect diet plan for me as well – I love fish. When your doctor refers to avoiding meat, I think it’s primarily about avoiding red meat.
It is a way of living! And if I may say, the best way of living (for me, definitely).
I like eating tasty food, drinking some wine after dinner, going out without feeling guilty the next day because I’ve had some extra calories!
And you know what? When I was on a diet (counting calories and other boring stuff), I was only gaining weight (not to mention my nervousness).
No other way is better for me.
Thanks for a wonderful blog.
Irena
This sounds like a very healthy plan you have laid out. The best thing about the Mediterranean diet is that the food you can eat is both healthy AND delicious at the same time. This makes it easier to stay consistent. Good luck, and make sure to mix some exercise in there too.
I must say that an effective diet is a mixture of both exercise and a balance diet intake and not a sole reliance on slimming pills and capsules. Being conscious with your body weight can keep one from diseases and bad effects of aging. Indeed, staying fit and healthy are still the key to man’s wellness and long life!
Healthy living is essential to keep us healthy and fit. If we love our body, we should take good care of it by eating the right foods and have a proper exercise. I always read books about healthy living because i want to make sure that i am always healthy. You have a very nice and helpful post Lizzie.
There’s one thing that puzzles me – did your doctor tell you to give up fruit juices altogether or just the ones with added sugar?
The ones with sugar – definitely and he suggested that fruit is better than fruit juice – but NO SUGAR!