Following a balanced diet and to maintain a good and healthy
figure is now a days a very sensitive issue for not only the Americans
but for people living all over the world. Therefore, every second
person is worried about the weight gained and working out to reduce
the extra weight from their body. Similarly the hot competition
of weight loss programs initiated by various companies is also
growing at a faster speed. However, amongst these varieties of
weight loss programs, a very interesting diet plan is the Mediterranean
diet plan.
Fat is allowed in the diet plan but not in the shape of margarine
nor butter or any trans-fats and neither hydrogenated fats are
allowed to the diet plan. Instead of such fat substances, the
diet plan offers olive oil, which is basically a rich form of
mono-unsaturated fat. At the same time the diet plan also offers
some low and moderate fat containing food substances provided
that they are consumed the same day as well as do not exceed the
calorie needed by the body. For instance, fresh yogurt or cheese
is allowed extracted out from goats and sheep. However, fresh
yogurt as well as moderate amount of cheese as well cheese and
yogurt extracted from camels are also allowed to be made a part
of the diet of the dieter has the potential to consume it the
same day.
Moreover, fish and poultry is also allowed but in small and balanced
amounts keeping in mind that the percentage of food intake should
be balanced according to the food consumption capacity, which
is not same for every individual. However, the best substitutes
of sweet dishes and desserts are provided in the shape of fruits.
They offer a variety of fresh fruits to be taken in place of satisfying
the inner demand of eating desserts. Though red meat is not made
a part of the diet plan but it is allowed to have in a very low
quantity and occasionally just to change the taste and not to
be anti red meat.
However, the most interesting aspect of the Mediterranean diet
plan is the flexibility of adding wine in the food intake along
the meals but in a moderate quantity. For instance women are allowed
to take one single glass per day while men are allowed up to two
glasses per day. Since the wine intake is allowed only while having
meals it does not let the dieter to lose his dieting track or
self-control to take more glasses of wine, except that is provided
by the diet plan. However, the wine intake is not necessary, it
depended upon the choice of the dieter to have it or not.
Since the diet plan is adopted from the traditional life style
and eating habits of the Mediterranean region, it is not an expensive
or professional diet plan though a very healthy and slow process
to lose weight. At the same time, it is very easy for any one
to follow the diet plan however, since the diet plan lacks any
scientific calorie count process, the dieter has to keep a track
of the required calorie intake himself. Therefore, this is the
only draw back of the Mediterranean diet plan.
