My Big Fat Mediterranean Diet

[fluffybear2]

I can lose weight on ANY diet. Trust me, I know, because I have been on just about EVERY diet out there including: Weight Watchers, Slim Fast, Atkins, Body for Life, Michael Thurmond's 6 Week Makeover, Medifast, low fat and vegetarian. I lost anywhere from 5-20 lbs. on each one, but then the weight returned. Why? Well my best guess is that it returned because I like to eat. Plus I have NO will power. In addition to that, I get bored easily. Oh, I forgot one other thing---I hate RULES. Show me rules and I will try to get around them somehow. I just ain't that disciplined. I am a Southern girl and my lifestyle is LAID-BACK. I love Paula Dean's cooking show on the Food Network, but I don't like looking like Paula Deen.
So in my eternal quest to be healthy (and hopefully thinner), I happened upon the Mediterranean Diet. But stop! That title is really a misnomer. It is not a "diet" in the sense that it is a weight loss plan devised by some doctor who caters to the rich and famous in his high rise office suite. Nor was it designed by some "doctor to the stars." In fact there is no ONE Mediterranean Diet. Instead it is based upon observation of the traditional eating styles of people who live in countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. Now I have never been to the Medditerranean (although I am working on my husband to go on a Mediterranean cruise someday ), but I used to live in California and also in Florida (the closest the U.S. can get to the Mediterranean climate). I used to live amongst grape vineyards and almond and olive orchards in California and even grew oranges, grapefruits and avacadoes in my yard in Florida. I also try to grow a little salsa garden each year in my back yard. So I thought to myself, why not try this way of eating for health AND weight loss? Here are the basic barebone principles of eating the Mediterranean way (notice I didn't say rules):

Make eating an enjoyable experience. Relax, eat slowly and savor your food. Make it a social event or if eating alone, put on some relaxing music.

Eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables

Eat whole grains

Use olive oil instead of butter. When you need a spread, use an olive oil type margarine)

Eat nuts but don't go overboard and eat a whole bag as if it were potato chips (a couple of handfuls a day at the most)

Get your protein from the following in the order listed:

Beans
fish
chicken
Red meat (infrequently)

Red wine or non-alcoholic grape juice (one glass a day is a healthy amount)

That's it! that my Big Fat Mediterranean Diet. Buon Appitito!

[fluffybear2]

Oh I forgot one category of food--DAIRY. Of course it wouldn't be a MEDITERRANEAN diet if cheese weren't allowed. Much like low carb, however, cheese is limited (no set amount, just use your own judgement--if it makes you gain weight, cut back on it). I think that if you just use cheese as sort of a condiment or garnish you won't have any problems. You can drink milk, but again, just don't go overboard.

[fluffybear2]

Although some food is emphasized over others, no single food group is omitted in the Mediterranean diet, making it enjoyable right from the beginning.

I've lost 3 lbs. this week already and am eating what I like. NO cravings, because I know that I can have just about whatever I want including sweets.

[fluffybear2]

Well I sorta started this WOE. I am still in the learning stage and haven't gone to the store yet to get the right type foods for the diet. So far I am mostly eating yogurt and fruit for breakfast, pita sandwiches for lunch and something Italian for supper. Forgot one other thing, honey is usually used instead of sugar---probably because honey is less processed than sugar and used more in Mediterranean countries. I like to drizzle it on fresh apple or pear slices.