The internet is full of conflicting information on which diet is the best for long-term health. But while trendy diets come and go, some eating plans have withstood the test of time and gained the approval of health professionals over and over. In recent years, the best example has been the Mediterranean diet.

The Mediterranean diet focuses on foods commonly consumed in southern European countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. These include fish, poultry, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, healthy fats, seeds, nuts, beans, and olive oil. Experts generally agree that this approach to eating improves your overall health and especially helps your heart. But what if there was a way to make this remarkably healthy diet even better? The “green” Mediterranean diet may do just that.

Doctors often sing the praises of the Mediterranean diet. But why not take it a step further? Find out what the green Mediterranean diet is and how to implement it here. #MainStreetClinics #MainStreetMedical Click To Tweet

Health Benefits

Doctors originally took notice of traditional Mediterranean foods when studies showed that far fewer people died of coronary heart disease in Mediterranean countries than in northern European countries or the US. Other observed benefits include reduced cholesterol levels, lower risk of stroke, and simple daily consumption of many essential micronutrients. Adopting this diet is a reliable way to improve your overall health!

The green Mediterranean diet makes one simple change to this plan. A very small amount of red meat is allowed on the typical plan. The “green” approach replaces the red meat with plant-based protein instead. This significantly increases your micronutrient intake.

Overall, the typical Mediterranean diet emphasizes:

• Healthy fats, especially omega-3 fatty acids
• Whole grains
• Whole fruits and vegetables
• Unprocessed food
• Minimal dairy and red meat
• Herbs instead of salt for flavoring meals
• Minimal processed foods or none at all

Ideal Food Choices

A green Mediterranean diet makes only a few changes to the original. For long-term success on a green Mediterranean eating plan, these foods should play a prominent role:

• 7-10 servings of whole, unprocessed fruits and vegetables per day
• Olive oil
• Lean protein like chicken or fish
• Small amounts of low-fat dairy foods
• Plant-based protein like beans or nuts to replace red meat
• Whole grains

To put it simply, the green Mediterranean diet consists of all the foods we’ve always been told were the healthiest for us. It’s no surprise that doctors tend to agree this is the best possible approach to eating!

A Nutritionally Dense Eating Plan

Between fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats, the green Mediterranean diet will provide your body with a steady supply of nutrient-rich foods. Cardiovascular patients may notice a particular benefit from switching to this diet. Talk to your doctor to see whether this is the right approach for you.

Contact us to learn more about healthy eating and the Mediterranean diet.