Everything You Need to Know: Top 10 Mediterranean Diet FAQs

Everything You Need to Know: Top 10 Mediterranean Diet FAQs

Are you considering the Mediterranean Diet? If so, you may wonder about what you don't know! In today's post, we discuss the top 10 questions beginners ask about the Mediterranean Diet. Reading through these ten questions, and their short answers, will give you a better understanding of the Mediterranean Diet as a whole. 

Top Ten Questions:
1. What is the Mediterranean Diet?
The Mediterranean Diet is a way of eating based on the traditional eating patterns of countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea, like Greece, Italy, and Spain. It emphasizes whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, fish, and olive oil, while limiting red meat, processed foods, and added sugars. See more principles here. 

2. What are the health benefits of the Mediterranean Diet?
The Mediterranean Diet is associated with so many health benefits, and it's one of the most widely studied diets in the world! In fact, many people initially find the Mediterranean Diet because they are dealing with a health challenge or concern that the Mediterranean Diet can help with. These health benefits include: a reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers. It's also linked to improved brain health, weight management, and increased longevity. Read about about the health benefits here and heart health here. 

3. Can the Mediterranean Diet help with weight loss?
For many people, this is an important question. Happily the answer is yes. The Mediterranean Diet can support weight loss due to its emphasis on whole, nutrient-dense foods, healthy fats, and balanced meals. It encourages mindful eating and portion control, which can lead to sustainable weight loss. Read more about weight loss here. 

4. What foods are included in the Mediterranean Diet?
The Mediterranean Diet includes a variety of foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, fish, seafood, olive oil, and moderate amounts of dairy (mainly yogurt and cheese) and poultry. Red meat and sweets are consumed sparingly.

5. Can I follow the Mediterranean Diet if I’m vegetarian or vegan?
The Mediterranean Diet is a plant-based diet, but it's not plant exclusive the way vegetarianism is. The Mediterranean Diet does include some animal products like fish, chicken, and dairy products. However, the Mediterranean Diet can be adapted for vegetarians and vegans! To follow the principles of the Mediterranean Diet, while not eating any animal products, a person will swap any animal proteins for plant-based ones like legumes, tofu, tempeh, nuts, and seeds. Then you will continue to eat a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and plant-based fats like olive oil and avocados, while minimizing processed foods and sugar. Check out this article on making better vegetarian meals. 

6. Is the Mediterranean Diet expensive?
The cost of the Mediterranean Diet can vary depending on food choices and local prices. If you are currently consuming lots of red meat and take-out, moving to a Mediterranean Diet will absolutely be less expensive! You ca make it even more budget-friendly by focusing on seasonal produce, bulk grains, legumes, and using plant-based proteins. Planning meals and shopping smartly can also help manage costs. See more here. 

7. How do I start the Mediterranean Diet?
Our favorite question: we have so many resources to help you! Generally speaking, start the Mediterranean Diet by incorporating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats into your meals. Gradually reduce red meat, processed foods, and sugary snacks. Focus on cooking at home using simple, fresh ingredients and explore Mediterranean recipes. You can download our FREE Starter Guide here and get going immediately. 

8. Can I drink alcohol on the Mediterranean Diet?
We generally don't recommend you start drinking if you don't already do. However, moderate alcohol consumption, particularly red wine, is a component of the Mediterranean Diet. This typically means up to one glass per day for women and up to two glasses per day for men, usually consumed with meals.

7. What is the role of physical activity in the Mediterranean lifestyle?
One thing we love about the Mediterranean Diet is that it encompasses so much more than just the food on our plates. It's a wholistic lifestyle that encourages us to live healthier overall lives. Regular physical activity is an aspect of the Mediterranean lifestyle. But it doesn't mean sweating in a gym (unless you like the gym). The Mediterranean Diet encourages us to find activities we love like walking, gardening, swimming, dancing, and other forms of exercise that promote overall health and well-being. More about an active lifestyle here. 

8. Are there any potential drawbacks or challenges to the Mediterranean Diet?
The Mediterranean Diet is considered one of the healthiest and most flexible ways to eat, and we think it's one of the most sustainable ways around! However, starting anything new can be challenging. There's a lot of misinformation on the internet! The Mediterranean Diet will likely require more time for meal preparation and planning, especially if you are used to ordering take-out. Check out our free Starter Guide for expert advice on how to get started. 

Now let us know: what are YOUR top Mediterranean Diet questions?