Friday, June 3, 2011

Weigh Pros And Cons Of The Mediterranean Diet

Mediterranean Diet.


The Mediterranean Diet is based on the traditional foods of the people living near the Mediterranean Sea, mainly in the countries of Greece and Italy. The diet is rich in healthy fatty foods and natural oils, particularly olive oil, which is the main ingredient in many of the diet’s dishes. The heart healthy diet also includes generous servings of fruits and vegetables, and plenty of fish and seafood. Studies have shown that the extensive use of olive oil is especially helpful in warding off heart disease and certain types of cancers. The American Heart Association recommends this diet as extremely healthy for the heart and cardiovascular system. The Mediterranean Diet has many health benefits, but these pros should be weighed against several significant factors.


Instructions


Weighing the Pros and Cons of the Mediterranean Diet


1. Do extensive research before you decide to embark on the Mediterranean Diet. Make a list of the pros and cons to help you decide if this diet is right for you. Jot down all the pros in one column, and all the cons in an adjacent column for easy referencing.


2. Highlight the main benefit and the main risk on your list. A main benefit of the Mediterranean Diet is that it is extremely healthy for the heart. Studies have shown that a strict Mediterranean diet greatly reduces the risk of heart disease and other cardiovascular illnesses. Some of the cons of the diet include the high cost of food and the difficulty of acquiring the traditional foods, such as fruits and vegetables, during certain seasons.


3. Carefully go down your list, comparing each pro to each con. Evaluate what benefits you hope to gain from the diet, and how the negative aspects might affect your decision-making.


4. Determine if the pros outweigh the cons or vice versa. If there are a greater number of pros or cons, it will help you to assess how difficult or easy it would be for you to adhere to this diet.








5. Try the diet for at least a week or two to see if you can successfully complete the requirements. However, if the cons outweigh the pros, you might want to consider trying another diet more suitable to your needs.

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