The Mediterranean Diet: It's Not Just About Food

The following, taken from the article in the Huffington Post cited below, is a great description of the Mediterranean Diet and it's lesson for healthy living (not just eating). 

Beyond just nutritional health, the Mediterranean Diet promotes a way of living that includes the following components, which could explain the positive health benefits.

Intense physical activity that includes work and all its forms of movement; farming, building, planting, gardening, dancing, sports, house work, child care or any activity that provides a non-sedentary daily routine.

Consuming many types and varieties of food in moderation as a form of nourishment -- both physically and socially, as well as sharing with others.

• Meals are a part of the social and family fabric and are not taken alone.

• Time spent eating is relaxing, nourishing and pleasurable.

• Foods choices often include fruits, vegetables, whole grain bread and other cereals, potatoes, beans, nuts and seeds.

• Olive oil is an important monounsaturated fat source in the diet.

• Dairy products, fish and poultry are consumed in low to modest amounts, and little red meat is eaten.

• Eggs are consumed zero to four times a week.

• Wine, a component of social family sharing and bonding, is a dietary staple this is consumed in low to moderate amounts.

 

		GEORGIANNA DONADIO, MSC, PH.D., D.C.: The Mediterranean Diet: It's Not Just About Food
	A point that is often missed by the media is that health is not isolated to one's diet. The whole health of an individual is about the physical, emotional, nutritional, environmental and even spiritual components.