Credits to the main photo: https://www.freshnlean.com/recipes/

When you’re looking for a food plan to follow, there are so many out there that just looking through them all seems like work on its own. Thankfully, the wonderful people of the Mediterranean came up with the perfect plan.

It may not be constant paella and wine from Spain or gyros from Greece, but the Mediterranean diet is one that requires little prep but comes loaded with benefits. If you’re looking to map out your next diet or plan the perfect food plan, look no further than the Mediterranean diet. Check out the top reasons for making the switch below.

It’s Easy to Follow

Committing to a diet is no joke. It requires dedication, will-power, and lots of ups and downs. Some diets have some bizarre rules or foods they want you to eat. You look on Google Maps only to discover that the only place in town that sells superfruit and that special coconut flour is thirty minutes from your house.

The Mediterranean diet is the opposite of those diets. Everything on the diet is something you can find in any grocery store and a diet you can even “take with you” when you travel. 

It’s Not Super Restrictive

You might be familiar with other famous diets that almost yell NO (INSERT NUTRIENT HERE) at you the whole time. Some diets, like the white diet, cut out eating anything white. There’s probably some diet out there that restricts you from eating anything that’s longer than 10 letters.

The Mediterranean diet asks that you cut back on things you already know you shouldn’t be eating, like: sugars, foods with high-fat, and lots of salt. The diet encourages carbs as long as they’re whole-grain and healthy. That means you’ll still be able to eat yummy pasta and bread (in moderation, of course).

That means that they’re are tons of amazing dishes you’ll be able to whip up in your kitchen without having to become a master chef. 

It’s Great for Your Heart

It’s important to make sure you’re keeping the most important organ in your body as healthy as possible. It helps prevent heart disease, lowers the risk of strokes, and extends your life. 

That’s because you’ll be eating leaner meats, snacking on healthy nuts, using more olive oil in meal preparation, and drinking red wine from time to time. You’ll be cutting out all those saturated and trans-fats, which can lead to clogged arteries and high cholesterol levels.

Your heart will definitely thank you down the road!

It’s Great for Your Brain

While your heart is the most important organ in your body, your brain is the largest. While there’s no guarantee you’ll be able to zoom through multiplication tables faster, it’s going to improve your brain health.

The Mediterranean diet is loaded with omega-3s, which boost your vascular health. Your brain needs plenty of blood and oxygen and with age, our vascular health decreases. Those with poor vascular health are more susceptible to diseases like dementia or alzheimer’s. Following the diet can help prevent the onset of those issues.

It Builds up Bone and Muscle Mass for Women

Women who are post-menopausal suffer from bone and muscle mass loss over the years. To combat this, many doctors recommend following the Mediterranean diet. 

The diet is stuffed in protein and other nutrients for your muscles. Eating lots of fruits, vegetables, nuts, olive oil, and fish has been shown to reduce bone loss over the period of a year in post-menopausal women. 

Combats Anxiety and Depression

Your physical health is incredibly important, but so is your mental health. Studies have shown that those who follow a Mediterranean diet are less likely to develop depression. 

For those that already suffer from depression, it’s been shown to combat the effects and help improve one’s mood over time. 

It Carries No Risk

With other diets, you may read or hear your friends talk about how they have less energy, it’s taken a long time to adjust, or they have to take supplements for some key nutrients.

With the Mediterranean diet, there is no risk at all. The foods cover all the key nutrients of the food pyramid, so you will be getting plenty of fiber, protein, iron, and carbs. The only “risk” is eating too much fish, which you should monitor. Try and keep it to just two times a week and make sure you are opting for fish that are low in mercury like tuna, salmon, and catfish.