I’m almost 2 weeks into the Mediterranean diet, and loving it. The Mediterranean Diet involves lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, chicken and fish, a daily quota of olive oil that must be met, a weekly quota of Omega-3 fatty acids in the form of salmon and flax, and a daily quota of whole grains. Dairy comes from low fat yogurt and milk. Garlic, onion and herbs are to be used liberally.
This diet has been found to prevent type-2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, many cancers, and even Alzheimer’s disease. I’m participating in a voluntary study at the University of Michigan that follows people on the diet for 6 months. So I am committed to the objectives of the study as well as my own health. Lots of motivation to stick with it, as well as personal coaching from a University nutritionist.
At first, it seemed like too much food! I have to eat 2 cups of dark green vegetables, one cup of red vegetable, one cup of yellow vegetable and one cup of “other” vegetable each day. That’s a salad about the size of a sofa cushion. Plus 3 cups of fresh fruit. Jeebus!