Diekman - The Everything Mediterranean Diet Book: All you need to lose weight and stay healthy!

THE MEDITERANEAN REGION is known for its beauty, diversity, the variety of fish that come from the sea, and the diet that takes its name from the region. The region encompasses the countries that ring the Mediterranean Sea. On the north side of the sea are Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Monaco, Serbia, Slovenia, and Spain. The southern part of the region includes Algeria, Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, Morocco, Libya, Palestinian Authority, Syria, Tunisia, and Turkey. Despite the wide range of countries that comprise the Mediterranean region, when the Mediterraneandiet is referenced the most common countries discussed include Spain, southern France, Italy, Greece, the isle of Crete, and the Middle East. When reviewing the diets in these countries there are differences in what constitutes the Mediterranean diet, but the common factors are the same: a focus on whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and fish.

The Mediterranean diet has been enjoyed for centuries, but within the last sixty years it has been the subject of much interest. People in the southern Mediterranean countries tend to have less heart disease, even though they consume more fat than many dietary guidelines recommend. In addition, a core element of diet in many of the Mediterranean countries is the consumption of wine. These two factors together seem to contradict the concept of healthful eating, but for people in the Mediterranean they are a part of life. Another factor that characterizes the diet is the use of oils, nuts, and seeds. The use of oils, in place of animal fats, seems to provide not only more healthy fats but also provides a variety of phytonutrients, which help in the prevention of disease.