Diet Summary
This is a plant-based diet low in cholesterol and saturated fat and high in fiber, monounsaturated fat and omega-3 fatty acids. Increased fiber is provided through 7 or more servings of fruit and vegetables daily. Fruits and vegetables along with whole grains, legumes, and nuts should be the main component of the meal. Meat, if eaten at all, should be in small portions. When possible, fruits and vegetables should be fresh. Dairy products should be those low in saturated fats.
The main fat source for this diet is from monounsaturated oils such as canola or olive oil. Avoid polyunsaturated oils such as corn oil, safflower oil, sunflower seed oil and soybean oil. Avoid trans-fatty acids in the form of margarine, shortening, deep-fried foods, and most prepared snacks. This diet is high in omega 3 fatty acids through the intake of cold -water fatty fish, certain greens, and nuts as well as the use of flax seed and oil. Examples of cold-water fish are salmon, tuna, trout, herring and mackerel. Fish is low in cholesterol and saturated fat. Fish should be eaten 3 or 4 times a week. If you do not like fish, you may supplement your diet with other sources of omega 3 fatty acids.
Saturated fat (fat from animal products) should be limited to no more than 8 -10% of total calories. This means that if you are on a 1500-calorie diet you should consume no more than 15 Gms of saturated fat a day. If you are on a 2000-calorie diet, you should consume no more than 20 Gms of saturated fat.
Dairy products as well as meat can be quite high in saturated fat. Dairy products low in saturated fats include 1% milk, low fat cottage cheese, and soft cheeses such as low fat mozzarella. Meat on the Mediterranean diet should be eaten in small amounts. The best meat choices are chicken and turkey. Red meat should be eaten no more than 1 or 2 times per month. Depending on your cholesterol level, two to four eggs with yolks may be eaten weekly.
Dessert and snacks should consist mainly of low-fat dairy products, fruits and vegetables. Sorbet, sherbet, frozen yogurt, and low-fat ice cream are good choices and may be eaten occasionally. If you are trying to lose weight these will need to be limited. Desserts and snacks containing large amounts of fat and sugar such as pastries, chips, and commercial baked goods should be avoided.
Water should be your beverage of choice (avoid sugar containing soft drinks and sport drinks). Fruit juices should be as fresh as possible with no added sugar. Fruit instead of juice is even better because of the added fiber. Alcohol, if consumed, should be used in moderation and with meals. Red wine is a good choice. If you are a vegetarian you are most likely already practicing a heart healthy diet. If you are not a vegetarian strive to adopt a more plant-based diet.
As with any diet or life style change don’t forget the importance of exercise!
Mediterranean Diet Guidelines
Fruits and vegetables – at least 7 servings per day
Fish (cold water) – 3 or 4 times per week
Dairy – Low saturated fat versions (in limited amounts) and up to 4 eggs per week
Grains, starches, legumes and nuts. – Whole grain fiber rich cereals, breads and pasta. No refined white flour baked goods or breads. Avoid refried beans with lard. Limit quantity of nuts and nut butters because they are high in calories. No added oils, fats or sugars.
Meat – Lean meats such as chicken and turkey in limited amounts. Red meat should be eaten only 1 or 2 times per month.
Fats – use olive oil and canola oil. Use canola oil margarine and mayonnaise in limited amounts (because they are high in calories).
Alcohol – Limited amount with meals. Best choices are red wines.
Fiber – Ideal intake of daily fiber is 20-35 gms a day.
Read food labels carefully. Pay special attention to serving size, amount of sugar, saturated fat and fiber. If you are having difficulty with weight gain or are unable to lose weight, you will need to decrease the amount of monounsaturated fat in your diet as well as the portion size of grains and starches. Don’t skip meals. It is important to eat several times daily to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Include a small amount of low fat protein with each meal.
See bottom of this page for menu examples.
Protein – Carbohydrates – Fats
Food sources can be divided into three groups or categories: Proteins, carbohydrates and fats. 30-35 % of your total calories should come from fat, 20-30 % from protein and the remaining 40- 50% from carbohydrates.
Protein
Protein contains amino acids, which are an important part of every diet. Amino acids are the basic building blocks of all cells in your body. The body is unable to manufacture its own “essential amino acids.” An appropriate mixture of amino acids is important. Vegetarians need to pay special attention in order to obtain a proper amino acid balance. Animal and dairy protein already contain the appropriate amino acid mixture.
Protein is necessary for the repair of tissue and the maintenance of muscle, hair, skin, nails and blood and for the manufacture of hormones and enzymes. Every system in your body is dependent on adequate protein intake.
· 20-30% of your total calories should come from protein (each gram of protein provides four calories). There are both animal and vegetable sources of protein.
· Excess protein intake is not advised. Excess protein waste products are excreted through the urine, which puts unnecessary stress on the kidneys.
· Vegetarians should make sure they include protein rich vegetarian sources at every meal and to make sure their essential amino acid intake is adequate.
· Protein sources should be low in saturated fats.
Preferred Protein Sources (low in saturated fats)
Skinless chicken and turkey (white meat)
Fish (cold water varieties) salmon, tuna and trout are recommended 3 or 4 per week.
Whole eggs (2 to 4 per week) and egg whites
Soybeans*
Tofu*
Soybean imitation meat products*
Low fat dairy products
Low fat cottage cheese
Low fat cheese
Protein powders
Acceptable Protein Sources
Chicken and turkey (dark meat)
Lean cuts of beef may be eaten 1-2 times per month
Ham, pork, Canadian bacon (lean)
Limit or Avoid
Fatty cuts of meat
Hot dogs, bacon and sausages
Liver and hard cheeses
*(According to the FDA – diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol that include 25 gms of soy protein may reduce the risk of heart disease).
Carbohydrates
There are three types of carbohydrates; sugar, starches and fiber. Most carbohydrates are plant based, such as fruits, vegetables, grain and legumes. Dairy products also contain carbohydrates. Sugar and starch provide 4 calories per gram of carbohydrate. 40-50% of total calories should come from carbohydrates. Fiber is not absorbed by the body so it has no caloric value.
Carbohydrates are foods that turn into sugar after they are eaten. Carbohydrates are a dietary essential and are used by the body for energy. Some carbohydrates turn into sugar very quickly, these are sometimes called “high glycemic index carbohydrates.” These carbohydrates may cause a rapid increase in blood sugar levels. These are also called refined carbohydrates. Favorable carbohydrates turn into sugar more slowly and are called “low glycemic index carbohydrates.”
Best choices are carbohydrates high in fiber, low in refined starch and low in sugar. Remember to eat 5 to7 servings of fruits and vegetables daily. Eat foods in their least refined form to ensure optimal fiber intake. Water should be your beverage of choice. Alcohol in moderation with meals is ok. Red wines are the best choice. Maximum alcohol intake for women is 6 oz wine, 1 beer or 1 shot of hard liquor. A large man may have twice that amount.
Fruits
Preferred Fruit Examples – Apples, apricots, cherries, grapefruit, oranges, peaches, plums, blackberries, cantaloupe, kiwi, nectarines, blueberries, pears and raspberries.
Limit – Bananas, cranberries, dates, figs, mango, raisins, pineapple, and fruit juices.
Vegetables
Preferred Vegetable Examples – Artichokes, asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, cucumber, lettuce, onions, spinach, tomato, radishes, zucchini, mushrooms (boiled), dried beans, pinto beans, black beans, chickpeas, kidney beans and soybeans.
Limit – Corn, carrots, beets and potatoes.
Grains
Preferred grain examples (low sugar, least refined and high fiber) – Stone-ground whole grain pasta, brown rice, old fashioned oatmeal, rye, whole grain breads, high fiber whole grain cereals, barley, whole wheat crackers.
Limit – White bread, white rice, low-fiber – high sugar cereals, corn flakes, puffed rice, corn chips, rice cakes, graham crackers, puffed wheat, white bagels, white pretzels, spaghetti, white croissants, white flour and popcorn.
Miscellaneous
Limit or avoid – refined sugar, honey, jam, sugary beverages and beer.
Fats
Fats are dense in calories providing 9 calories per gram. 30-35% of your total calories should come from fat. Fat comes from both animal and plant sources. Some fat is essential to the body for maintaining skin and hair, keeping our bodies warm, protecting cell walls, storing and transporting (fat soluble) vitamins and are necessary for hormone production. There are three types of fat:
1. Saturated fat
2. Monounsaturated fat
3. Polyunsaturated fat
Saturated Fat
Saturated fats are usually solid at room temperature. They are found in foods from animal products such as meat, poultry, butter and whole milk. Tropical oils such as coconut and palm oil are also high in saturated fat. Saturated fat raises your blood cholesterol and increases your risk for coronary artery disease. You should limit saturated fat to no more than 8-10% of total calories.
Monounsaturated Fat
Monounsaturated fats are liquid at room temperature and are found in olive oil, canola oil and peanut oil. Monounsaturated fat is considered a “good fat”. It has been proven to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol while maintaining or raising HDL (good) cholesterol levels. The bulk of your fat calories should come from monounsaturated fat. Use olive oil for cooking and salad dressings.
Polyunsaturated Fat
Polyunsaturated fats are liquid at room temperature. They are found in nuts and vegetable oils such as safflower, sunflower, soybean, corn, peanut, walnut, flax seed and in fatty fish. Fats from this group are called essential fatty acids. They are necessary for the body to function. The body is unable to manufacture essential fatty acids so they must come from your diet. These essential fatty acids are subdivided into two families: “omega-3” and “omega-6” fatty acids. A balance is necessary between these 2 fatty acids. Most diets include an excessive amount of omega-6 fatty acids.
Omega-3 fatty acids
The best food sources for omega-3 fatty acids are fatty cold-water fish such as salmon, steel head, trout, tuna, sardines, and mackerel. Lean fish such as cod contain less omega-3 fatty acids than fatty fish. Omega-3 fatty acids are also found in a plant-based form such as walnuts, almonds, flaxseeds, flaxseed oil, canola oil and some dark green leafy vegetables. You should eat a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Try canola oil mayonnaise and spreads. Make your own salad dressings with canola oil or olive oil. Add flax seeds to your favorite recipes or cereal. Use canola oil for baking.
Omege-6 fatty acids
Corn, safflower, sunflower, soybean and cottonseed oil are high in omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-6 fatty acids lowers LDL but also lowers HDL. Limit or avoid oils high in omega-6 fatty acids.
Trans Fats
Trans fats are a type of fat created when liquid oil such as corn oil undergoes hydrogenation. This process makes the oil thicker and less likely to spoil. The resulting fat may cause an increased risk for cardiovascular disease by raising your LDL (bad cholesterol) and lowering your HDL (good cholesterol). Trans fats are not listed as such on food labels. Look for clues such as; the more solid an oil, the greater the amount of trans fat, and for the terms hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated.
Avoid all products that contain trans fats (partially hydrogenated oil): Shortening, stick margarine, pastries, commercially prepared snacks, and mixes, potato and corn chips, flavored popcorn and some commercially prepared salad dressings.
Review of Mediterranean Diet
· Strive for a more plant- based diet.
· Go meatless several times a week.
· Try vegetable protein sources such as legumes and soy.
· Increase fiber. Eat foods in their least refined version such as whole grains.
· Eat at least 7 servings of fruits and vegetables daily.
· Use olive oil and canola oil as your main fat source.
· Decrease saturated fat to no more than 8-10% total calories.
· Use low fat dairy products.
· Use cheese as a flavoring or seasoning.
· Up to four eggs with yolks are allowed weekly (depending on your cholesterol).
· Use lean meat sources such as chicken and turkey, venison and elk.
· Limit red beef, lamb and pork to 1-2 times per month.
· Limit trans-fatty acids by avoiding margarine, shortening, deep fried foods and commercially prepared baked goods and snacks.
· Avoid corn, safflower, sunflower, and soybean oils.
· Increase omega-3 fatty acids in your diet. Eat cold-water fatty fish several times per week. Walnuts, canola oil, flaxseeds, and some vegetables greens are also good sources of omega 3 fatty acids.
· Avoid high-glycemic index carbohydrates such as soft drinks, white rice, sugar, potatoes, sugary breakfast cereals, white flour, corn, white breads and beer.
Mediterranean Diet Menu Ideas
Breakfast #1
High fiber cereal
Nonfat milk
1 cup of fresh fruit
Breakfast # 2
Vegetable omelet
(1egg plus 2 egg whites) vegetables sautéed in canola oil
1 slice whole-grain toast
1 tsp canola spread
Breakfast # 3
Low fat cottage cheese
Cantaloupe
1 slice whole grain toast
Breakfast # 4
Old-fashioned oatmeal
Nonfat milk
Poached egg
Lunch # 1
Turkey sandwich (whole-grain bread, canola mayonnaise, lettuce tomato)
Low fat milk
Lunch # 2
Tuna salad sandwich (whole-grain bread, canola mayonnaise, lettuce)
Lunch # 3
Bean soup
Green salad with olive oil vinaigrette
Lunch #4
Green salad with tuna
Whole grain, high fiber wheat crackers
Apple
Lunch # 5
Chicken salad
Whole-wheat roll
Fruit
Dinner # 1
Broiled salmon
Green salad
Steamed broccoli
1 small whole grain diner roll
Dinner 2
Grilled tuna
Squash
Steamed spinach
Dinner 3
Chicken stir-fry
Brown rice
Green salad with vinaigrette
Dinner 4
Chicken breast
Brown rice
Brussels sprouts
Whole grain roll
Dinner 5
Bean soup
Whole grain bread
Green salad with vinaigrette
Dinner 6
Whole grain pasta with tomato vegetable sauce
Steamed vegetables
Green salad with vinaigrette
Dinner # 7
Lean roast beef
Small baked potato
Green salad
Mediterranean Diet Resources
If you would like further information you may find the following books and articles helpful.
1. The Omega Diet by Artemis Simopoulos, M.D. and Jo Robinson (Best book overall)
2. Sugar Busters by H. L. Steward, Morrison C. Bethea, M.D., Sam S. Andrews, M.D., Luis A. Balart, M.D.
3. Mastering the Zone by Barry Sears, Ph.D.
4. Good Fat Bad Fat by William P. Castelli, M.D. and Glen C. Griffin, M.D.
Therapeutic Ramblings 