mediterranean diet

[soontobesexy'ntx]

have you read the news lately??
the best diets for weight loss
1. Atkins aka low carb diets
2. mediterranean diet aka "healthy carb good fats" diets
3. lowfat,low protein diets usally fail
now my question is
does anyone have a copy of the Mediterranean diet??

[wifezilla]

What consititues the Mediterranian diet is going to depend on who you ask. It's a big area

From what I understand, it means eating fish and poultry, olive oil, nuts, whole grains, and fresh veggies.

Other than the grains, it sounds pretty good.

[soontobesexy'ntx]

thats what I was reading
whole grain or Whole wheat breads
whole grain or whole wheat pastas
whole wheat tortillas
goats milk cheeses (they taste better anyway)
not too diff from a phase 3-4 SB or Atkins??
women 1300-1500 cals
men 1500-2000 cals
(in the weight loss phase)

[Moretta]

have you read the news lately??
the best diets for weight loss
1. Atkins aka low carb diets
2. mediterranean diet aka "healthy carb good fats" diets
3. lowfat,low protein diets usally fail
now my question is
does anyone have a copy of the Mediterranean diet??

I heard the same thing on the news the other night.

I would love to know more about the Mediterranean diet to.

[lacie]

There is a diet called, Sonoma Diet, which is a Mediterranean weight loss plan.
Here is a copy of the Mediterranean Food Pyramid.

[wifezilla]

Hummmm.....that bottom section would be a BIG problem for me. Eating whole grain breads, pasta, brown rice, and potatoes is how I got fat in the first place!

[Moretta]

Plan looks good, but minus the grains, bread etc.

[Tinkerloo]

Did you guys see the report given on Good Morning America? (it was on other news shows also - but I caught it on GMA)

I had to laugh because they gave the report of the results of the study and then brought in their "medical consultant" who is an older MD who always reports for them and he basically shredded the study and told viewers that the ONLY way to lose weight was moderation - calories in, calories out, lower healthier fats, healthier carbs, etc.

He just wasn't able to let his old beliefs go I guess! It really didn't shock me since we know all the mindsets out there. I don't know why it just can't be okay for several things to work - for people to be able to find what works for them. Crazy!

-Amy

[wifezilla]

It is getting funnier and funnier watching these people twist in the wind. I really get a kick out of the "calories in = calorie out" people. They base that on the first law of thermodynamics. Too bad those laws are designed to show why you can't have a perpetual motion machine, not how humans digests and use food.

Unlike those morons, I have actually taken thermodynamics. Got a B if I remember correctly.

[fluffybear2]

I have decide to switch to a Mediterranean-type diet for several reasons. First, my body just can't take too much meat, because I have diverticulosis and need a higher fiber diet and secondly because my husband won't go to extremes with eating (he won't do all low carb or all vegetarian). I do cook for the both of us and don't like having separate meals and the Mediterranean style of eating seems to meet both our needs. I found several books that describe it.

1. Ther Meditarranean Diet by Marissa Cloutier, (a nutritionist) paperback 2001, Harper Publishing. (this was Ok and had a few recipes in the back)

2. The Miami Mediterranean Diet by Michael Ozner, MD. (a cardiologist)
hardback 2008 Benbella Publising.

(I REALLY liked this one. It had an eating plan and 300 great recipes

I love to cook and eat Italian, Greek, Spanish and French food. Many of the recipes are fish and seafood which my husband and I love being from the Gulf Coast.

It seems like a way of eating in which my husband and I won't feel deprived of any food group, because all types of foods are allowed.

[fluffybear2]

Originally Posted by soontobesexy'ntx

have you read the news lately??
the best diets for weight loss
1. Atkins aka low carb diets
2. mediterranean diet aka "healthy carb good fats" diets
3. lowfat,low protein diets usally fail
now my question is
does anyone have a copy of the Mediterranean diet??

I hate to tell you this if you are looking for something similar to Atkins in the Mediterranean Diet. It is not like Atkins. It is neither high fat nor high protein.
In the books I have read about it, low fat dairy products are encouraged, not high fat ones. Beans are encouraged as the main source of protein, with fish coming in second, then chicken and red meat only allowed about once a month or less. It's main emphasis is whole grains, fruits and vegetables.

[Moretta]

fluffybear2 I have decide to switch to a Mediterranean-type diet for several reasons. First, my body just can't take too much meat, because I have diverticulosis and need a higher fiber diet and secondly because my husband won't go to extremes with eating (he won't do all low carb or all vegetarian). I do cook for the both of us and don't like having separate meals and the Mediterranean style of eating seems to meet both our needs. I found several books that describe it.

I am thinking of switching to this WOE. Have you started yet and if so, how are you liking it?

[fluffybear2]

Originally Posted by Moretta

I am thinking of switching to this WOE. Have you started yet and if so, how are you liking it?

Yes. I had gained back 3 lbs. and started the Mediterranean diet and lost them in 3 days. I like this way of eating. The good news is that there are no hard and fast rules. The bad news is there is no hard and fast rules, so you are sort of on your own. My main reason for eating this way is because I have high blood pressure and my husband has high cholesterol and this is one way of eating we can both agree on. He never did like low carb or low fat. And I didn't like cooking separate meals for the two of us. I have blogged about this (see my blog link at the left) and also written something here:

http://www.lowcarbfriends.com/bbs/we...nean-diet.html

p.s. If you need more sturcture for the Mediterranean diet you might want to read:

The Advanced Mediterranean Diet

I haven't read it, but I saw it on Amazon.com and it has menu plans for various calories levels (1200, 1500, etc).

[Moretta]

Congrats. on your loss.

I'm thinking of getting the Advanced book because I need something to follow at least until I get acustomed to this new plan.

Glad you are liking it thus far.

[soontobesexy'ntx]

what I'm going to do
(started yesterday)
is use my cambridge shakes and soups til they are gone
and do a medeterranean diet supper
when the Cambridge is gone then I'll be full force into Meddiet

[fluffybear2]

The main principles of eating Mediterranean-style are as follows:

Create a relaxing atmosphere for eating.

Eat from all food groups with the following guidelines:

whole grains (cous cous, tabouli, brown rice, bulgar and whole grain breads)

legumes (beans are a main-stay in the Mediterranean diet)

fruit and vegetables of all kinds (try to buy in season)

olive oil as the primary fat (instead of saturated animal fats)

nuts- (a handful daily is enough for lots of protein)

cheese/dairy (use sparingly)

chicken and fish (1-3 times a week)

red meat (once a month)

red wine or red grape juice (once a day if desired, but not mandatory)

sweets (fruits are encouraged for desserts or snacks)

daily exercise of some type

[soontobesexy'ntx]

fluffy
thx for your help
I live in Tx so I should be able to switch pretty easy
(just stay away from lard fried sopaillas)

[soontobesexy'ntx]

went to Amazon and ordered
the Sonoma diet
Sonoma cookbook
mayo clinic/met diet
Sonoma desert cookbook
the Advanced is outofstock right now
total cost 19.09

[fluffybear2]

Originally Posted by soontobesexy'ntx

fluffy
thx for your help
I live in Tx so I should be able to switch pretty easy
(just stay away from lard fried sopaillas)

I am from Wichita Falls, TX originally but now living in the Midwest. My mom and brother live in Brownsville, and I am keeping an eye on the weather channel all day today because of Hurricane Dolly. My mom lives in a mobile home. and I am worried about her. She lives about 3 miles from the Rio Grande.

[soontobesexy'ntx]

then you know where I am
Dyess AFB??

[fluffybear2]

Originally Posted by soontobesexy'ntx

then you know where I am
Dyess AFB??

I sure do. My husband was stationed there in the 80's. We lived on base in those old Wherry quarters. I kept saying, Abiline is just like Wichita Falls. Hot and dry.

[soontobesexy'ntx]

they've torn all those down NEW base milfam housing!!

[lizardspitlisa]

My endo suggested a mediterranean approach to eating, and so I got the book, "The Mediterranean Prescription", by Angelo Acquista, M.D.
It has meal plans and recipes as well as a lot of information. It calls for a lot of fish and olive oil, as well as moderate consumption of wine. Probably not the "lowest carb" diet out there, but certainly a healthy approach to eating, not only for weight loss but cardiovascular care. I use the book, but really don't eat as much pasta as is representated by the recipes.

[fluffybear2]

Originally Posted by lizardspitlisa

My endo suggested a mediterranean approach to eating, and so I got the book, "The Mediterranean Prescription", by Angelo Acquista, M.D.
It has meal plans and recipes as well as a lot of information. It calls for a lot of fish and olive oil, as well as moderate consumption of wine. Probably not the "lowest carb" diet out there, but certainly a healthy approach to eating, not only for weight loss but cardiovascular care. I use the book, but really don't eat as much pasta as is representated by the recipes.

I just put that book on reserve at the library. I need meal plans!

[fluffybear2]

For anyone needing meal plans, you can google Good Housekeeping Mediterranean Diet and there is a week of Mediterranean meal plans plus tips.

[fluffybear2]

Mediterranean Chicken Stew

8 bone-in (with skin) pieces of chicken, or a whole chicken cut into pieces
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 shallot, minced
1 clove garlic - peeled
1 stick cinnamon
2 bay leaves
8 fresh oregano leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried oregano)
1 cup dry white wine
10 prunes - whole
1 ounce pine nuts - whole
1 cup chicken broth
Salt
(Optional) Black olives to garnish

Salt the chicken and set aside
In a medium stew or casserole pan, heat the olive oil over medium high heat. Add the shallot and cook until it is nearly translucent. Add the garlic and cinnamon and cook into the garlic is just golden.
Add the chicken, oregano and bay leaves. Cook until the chicken is golden brown, approximately 5 minutes on each side.
Add the white wine and allow it to reduce until it is almost gone.
Add the chicken broth, prunes and pine nuts and reduce the heat to low. Cover the pan and allow it to simmer for approximately 30 minutes.
Serve over moderate portions of rice.

[Moretta]

fluffy: I checked out the menus at Good Housekeeping, and they seem delish. The only worry I have is I'm not sure how one can lose weight eating that way.

Lets us know how you and your husband are doing on this new WOE.

[lacie]

Fluffybear, thank you for the tip about GH magazine and for the chicken stew recipe. It looks yummy! Women's Day magazine website also has a Mediterranean Diet with recipes and tips.
DH & I also would like to try this WOE. I'm going to the book store this weekend to find some books.

[fluffybear2]

Originally Posted by Moretta

fluffy: I checked out the menus at Good Housekeeping, and they seem delish. The only worry I have is I'm not sure how one can lose weight eating that way.

Lets us know how you and your husband are doing on this new WOE.

Well, after researching the whole "Mediterranean Diet" subject, I have found that it isn't a diet in the popular sense of the word. It is simply a healthy eating style. So in order to lose weight one would have to cut back on something just like any other way of eating. The difference is that compared to eating the Standard American Diet (SAD) and cutting back on cokes, chips, fries and ice cream or just cutting calories, everything you eat on the Mediterranean "diet" is healthy and shown to help prevent lots of health problems such as heart disease, cancer, etc.

I wanted to try eating this way because my husband and I have potential health problems. I have high blood pressure and he has high cholesterol. His family has a horrible health history. His dad and 5 uncles all died from cancer. His mom's side of the family has a history of strokes and Alzheimer's. The Mediterranean diet is suppose to help prevent all those health problems. Of couse losing weight is important too. I constantly struggle with my weight and my husband weighs close to 300 lbs.

So I plan to eat Mediterranean-style and watch my calories too. One thing about it--it IS filling! I made a big pot of ratatoulle last night and even though all the veggies in it are very low calorie, it filled us up.

[Moretta]

fluffybear2: Glad to hear you are liking the Med. WOE, it always helps when one comes to grips with it and most important that its satisfying your hunger. I think for me this would be #1.

Which book are you following? I have ordered The Advanced Mediterranean Prescription from Amazon and cannot wait to dig in and read it.

Happy Mediterranean eating. Buon Appetito!