Many people, who, at one point, have started the Mediterranean diet, will end up sticking to the nutritional recommendations throughout their whole life. Like we have said in the beginning, the Mediterranean diet is not per se a diet, but rather a way of living. And it is certainly one of the healthiest ways in which you could possibly live, as you have already seen above.
There really are no risks involved in eating the Mediterranean diet on a long term basis. Just take a look at the natives from Greece and Southern Italy; they have been eating like this for centuries. With this being said, the Mediterranean diet is a viable lifelong option for people living anywhere in the world. If you have made it the number of months it took you to lose the extra weight, you are more than capable of sticking to the nutritional recommendations of the Mediterranean diet for years on end.
Western societies tend to have some of the unhealthiest eating patterns, thanks to the fast food industry’ and to food processing technologies. To some extent, the Mediterranean diet is a way of eating that sticks to tradition and gives preference to natural and unprocessed foods. Many would argue that the principles of the Mediterranean diet are the way humans were meant to eat along. Our digestive systems were not built for chips, cakes, microwave pizzas, sodas, and so on. A more natural diet, like the Mediterranean one, will spare our digestive tract, heart, arteries, joint, lungs, and even brain. With so many benefits associated with it, why shouldn’t you make it a lifelong commitment?
You may have noticed that the diet has made you feel more energized and that it has boosted your self-confidence. Wouldn’t you like to feel like this for the rest of your life? In addition, you have to admit that the Mediterranean diet is quite permissive, especially when compared to the multitude of diets out there. You will be able to enjoy all your favorite foods, as long as you do it in moderation. And there is the added bonus that you can even drink a glass of red wine per day.
In addition, the Mediterranean diet is extremely balanced, meaning that you are getting adequate amounts of each nutrient you need for a healthy lifestyle. This means that it is one of the few diets that actually is suitable for a long-term commitment.
Because the recommendations of the Mediterranean diet are so easy to follow, after enough time has passed, you won’t even feel like you are on a diet anymore. It will simply become your lifestyle. Making the right choices will no longer seem as a task, but rather this will become second nature. What is more, with the numerous and delicious Mediterranean dishes you can prepare, you can rest assured that you will never get tired of eating like this. The great thing is that there is no pressure on you to eat a certain way. As long as you feel confident that you are making the healthiest choices, most of the times, you are on the right path.
The Mediterranean diet should be regarded as much more than a simple weight loss tool. It is, in all actuality, a lifestyle anyone wishing to be in the best shape of their lives should embrace. Numerous people have done so successfully, and there really isn’t any reason why you couldn’t. Considering the countless health benefits derived from sticking to the Mediterranean way of eating, it would be a shame not to keep by its principles. As a final reminder, the Mediterranean diet has the following commandments:
– Olive oil to replace all cooking fats.
– Fish and dairy in moderation.
– Red meat and sweets as rarely as possible.
– Vegetables, whole grains, legumes, fruits, nuts, and seeds are the foundation of the diet.
– Red wine in moderation. Physical exercise as often as possible.