PBS - 3 Steps to Incredible Health!
Around 1960, nutritionists, research scientists and epidemiologists have discovered that the people living in Greece, Italy and other countries around the Mediterranean had the lowest rates of chronic disease in the world and a life expectancy among the highest. One of the best meal plans for weight loss is the Mediterranean diet. The core of the diet is made up of foods from plant sources form, while foods from animal sources form the fringe. Men drink one or two glasses of red wine a day, primarily with meals. Research suggests that the Mediterranean diet would not be as protective against chronic disease if moderate wine consumption was eliminated from the diet. Drinking red wine in moderation is a beneficial and integral part of the Mediterranean diet and should be considered, unless it would put an individual at risk.Olive oil is the regions traditional fat. Olive oil, which is high in monounsaturated fatty acids, lowers the bad cholesterol or LDL, while animal fats and partially hydrogenated fats can increase bad cholesterol. Olive oil also contains substantial amounts of antioxidants which prevent bad cholesterol deposits from forming and blocking arteries. If you want to follow any of the Mediterranean meal plans for weight loss, olive oil should be used in place of other fats. Fresh minimally processed foods are also a factor in maintaining protective levels of antioxidants and micro-nutrients.Traditional southern Italian cuisine is one of the more healthy and delicious meal plans for weight loss. However, beware of contemporary northern Italian
