Is it true that mediterenean diet reduces tummy fat an other major digestive problems? Has anyone in this forum experienced the benefits? I would like to hear your thoughts.
Thank you.
Hi Flowers,
Well, if you listen to the media, then one minute one thing is good for you and another minute it's not good for you and something else is etc.
The truth is that everybody is different, so just because a mediterenean diet may appear to work well for those living in mediteranean countries, it doesn't necessarily mean it would suit other people. Another example would be the people of Japan, who generally are lactose intolerent and cannot digest cows milk easily, yet in other countries people have no problem with this.
Having myself eaten with a lot of French people in the mediteranean region, I would say that I would be likely to put on weight with the amount of food they serve. 🙂
I think the best way to reduce tummy fat and help your digestive problems is to monitor your own diet, and learn what works and what doesn't work for you, ensure you eat a balanced range of 'healthy' foods (the body does need fat, and salt etc. within reason), larger meals in the morning and less in the evening, and ensure you get plenty of exercise.
All Love and Reiki Hugs
A mediterraneab diet is generally healthier than the typical english diet mainly because they use more fresh fruit and veg and cook with olive oil. However if you eat too much of ANY sort f food you will get fat. Whether you put on weight on your tummy or your hips is a lottery. But we do know that people who put weight on round their stomach are more prone to weight related illnesses than those who carry the excess round their hips. Thats why Waist to hip ratio is now used aongside Body Mass Index. But there are as many mediterranean people with large tummies as there are with large hips!
I asked this question because I have seen a good number of people who have followed this diet strictly and the results were just amazing.
I also recognize that no one element of the diet is the key to the health benefits the diet provides. I am very keen on starting on this diet and I had to carry out some research and this is what I found out.
If you decide to give the Mediterranean diet a try, make sure you achieve the right balance of all the foods outlined in the pyramid and that you do not rely on one food or food group to provide the magic answer
Following the Mediterranean diet is simple if you approach it as a lifelong eating pattern that you are willing to take time and get used to. If your diet is lacking in plant foods, as is the case with most people in the west, set a plan to boost your intake. A good plan might be to try new food each week until you reach a point where your eating habits looks like Mediterranean diet.
Another important part of using the diet well is to use more plant protein foods, such as beans, nuts, or seeds. Using canned beans is an acceptable option but make sure you drain some of the liquid to reduce the amount of salt you consume. If cooking dried beans, soak them before cooking.
Another aspect of Mediterranean diet that might make it more healthful routine is the pace at which people in the region eat. People who live in the Mediterranean region take time to eat their meals. Families share meals together and courses are lingered over rather than quickly grabbed from a drive through. Learning to eat more slowly may take time and requires adjustments to your schedule.
Remember studies show that it takes 20 minutes for the stomach to signal the brain that it is full. Eating more slowly allows you to recognize the feeling from this signal. Slower eating also allows you to taste and savor your food, leading to taste satisfaction, another aspect of the process of feeling full.