Even though it is called the Mediterranean diet, it’s not really a diet.
Happy 2019!
Is your New Year’s resolution to lose weight?
How many times have you decided that this year will be the year you’re going to lose weight, eat healthily, start hitting the gym and give up desserts forever?
How many times have you succeeded?
I’m guessing… despite your best intentions you probably abandon your new year’s resolution within a few weeks.
Why?
It’s usually because the goals set are too unrealistic and all-encompassing to achieve.
Can you lose weight and get fit and healthy this year?
You absolutely can!
How?
By following the Mediterranean diet.
Have you heard that the Mediterranean diet is THE diet to follow for 2019?
Well, it may be called the Mediterranean diet but it’s not a so-called ‘diet’.
Does the word ‘diet’ make you think of restrictive eating, calorie counting, complicated measuring and tasteless food?
So what’s the difference?
Following the Mediterranean diet doesn’t involve any of that. Hooray! It doesn’t tell you what to eat and what not to eat. In my post ‘The Mediterranean Diet Meal Plan for Beginners‘ I go into detail what the Mediterranean diet is all about but in short, it’s sustainable and easy to follow.
The Mediterranean way of eating is full of delicious food and health benefits, including weight goals. I explain this in my post ‘Lose Weight On The Mediterranean Diet’ if you would like to find out more.
Eating the Mediterranean diet is an easy diet to follow.
It’s simple, especially when you try the following tips:
1. Out of sight, out of mind. Keep fruit in sight -keep a bowl of fruit on the kitchen counter. This makes it easier for you to choose fruit as a snack instead of less healthy alternatives. Try and stock the bowl with seasonal fruit and with a rainbow of colours.
2. Have vegetables at breakfast – why not chop fresh vegetables such as cucumber, tomato and have with a slice of toast and a piece of cheese.
3. Add beans to your plate – beans are a great alternative to meat, packed full of protein and fibre. Did you know, that beans count towards one portion of veg? Beans are the only food that can do double duty – they are part of the vegetable food group as well as the protein food group. You could try topping salads with beans, add it to pasta dishes or for the winter months add to soups and stews.
4. Swap your fats – make olive oil your go to fat. Drizzle over salads and veggies, scramble or fry eggs in it and even use it as a dip for bread -very Mediterranean.
5. Slow down and eat together – the key thing with the Mediterranean diet is that meal times are not hurried but are enjoyed with the company of others. This allows our brain to catch up with our stomach – telling us when it’s full and preventing overeating.
If you need some help to get going, I’ve put together a Mediterranean Diet Shopping List that you can download for free and print off and take with you to the supermarket. Stock up with ingredients to help you get started with the Mediterranean way.
-Elif
