HomeOlive Oil & HealthOlive Oil Health benefitsMediterranean diet MEDITERRANEAN DIET HEALTHY EATING ACCORDING TO THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET The Mediterranean diet is delicious, easy to follow and has long been recommended for its health benefits. People sometimes refer to the ‘Mediterranean Diet’ as though there were just one. The term ‘Mediterranean Diet’ reflects food patterns which have evolved around the Mediterranean Sea, where adult life expectancy is among the highest in the world. There are many variants of the Mediterranean Diet, of which two are perhaps the best recognized; The Italian variant is relatively low in total fat, with a moderate intake of Olive Oil, fruit and vegetables and a high intake of cereals, while the Greek variant is higher in total fat consumption, but lower in cereal intake. Whether these two variants are equal in terms of their health-promoting qualities is not clear, but a great deal of importance has been placed on the fact that Olive Oil is the principal source of cooking fat in these regions. Recent researchers from Europe and the US* has found that the Mediterranean Diet has a beneficial effect on health and longevity: people tend to live longer overall, and death from illnesses such as heart disease and cancer is reduced by up to 33%. The key, it seems, is to enjoy the delicious diet as a way of life, and to make sure you include all the elements to get the benefit. (* Harvard School of Public Health and the University of Athens Medical School studied the diets of over 22,000 adults in Greece aged 20 to 86 over a four-year period.) THE MAGIC INGREDIENT No Mediterranean kitchen is ever without plenty of good quality Olive Oil, the perfect partner for Mediterranean food styles and flavours. As well as being used to dress cooked dishes, salads and vegetables, there is always a bottle handy on the table for flavouring, seasoning and as a delicious dip for fresh crusty bread. The added bonus is Olive Oil’s significant health benefits. Naturally free of salt and rich in monounsaturates and antioxidants – the preferred source of fat -Olive Oil is thought to help protect against heart disease, promote healthy ageing, regulate blood fats and keep the digestive system in good order. 12 STEPS TO MEDITERRANEAN LIVING You might not be able to make it to Greece or Southern Italy any time soon, but you can enjoy the cuisine and celebrate the Mediterranean diet in your own kitchen. To celebrate Mediterranean Diet Month we have put together some guidelines to get you started: Use olive oil as a substitute for butter and margarine. Snack on nuts, seeds, and fruit rather than processed snack foods. Include a generous variety of seasonally fresh and local produce (like leafy greens) with your main meal daily. Select whole grain sources of breads, rice, pastas, and other grains. Eat at least a few vegetarian meals each week. Serve dishes that include legumes like beans and lentils. Try fish, poultry, beans, nuts, and eggs as alternatives to red meat. Limit red meat to small occasional servings. If you drink red wine, include no more than a glass or two daily (1 for women, 2 for men). Enjoy fresh fruit for dessert. Set aside enough time to savor and enjoy each and every bite Integrate physical activity to promote a healthy weight, fitness, and sense of well-being into everyday habits OLIVE OIL & HEALTH Understanding Olive Oil Understanding Olive Oil About Olive Oil Understanding The Label Using Olive Oil History Facts & Fiction Healthy Inspiration Healthy Inspiration Olive Oil & Diet Fats Cholesterol Vegan Diet Mediterranean Diet Prevention Wellness OUR PRODUCTS OUR RECIPES © 2021 Filippo Berio UK 4108585 Modern Slavery Statement Privacy policy Terms & Conditions Our online boutique is temporarily closed whilst our website has a makeover! It will re-open on 1st December Dismiss We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies from this website. For more information on how they are used, read our privacy policy. Dismiss this notice