The Mediterranean diet plan is basically based on the diet plan followed by the people of Greece and Italy in the 1960s. The diet primarily consists of food items predominantly eaten by natives from that region such as generous helpings of fruits, vegetables, pasta, and rice and a limited quantity of red meat. There are alleged reports that swear by this diet plan’s ability to help one reduce weight, prevent strokes, type 2 diabetes, premature death, and heart attacks. There is no such exact diet plan because around the Mediterranean Sea, there are many countries and the people of those countries have a diverse palate influenced by indigenous produce and their culture. In this article, you will get dishes and foods that you can include in your Mediterranean diet menu in order to make it healthier.

The basics of a Mediterranean diet
Here are some of the some of the basic foods that you should include in your Mediterranean diet menu:

• Foods you must eat regularly: Vegetables, legumes, bread, whole grains, extra virgin olive oil, fruits & nuts, fish and seafood, seeds, herbs, and spices
• Foods to eat in moderation: Eggs, cheese, poultry, and yogurt.
• Foods to eat rarely: Red Meat
• Foods to be avoided: Sugary dishes, added sugars, refined grains, processed meat, and refined oils

Food items you need to abstain from while on the diet:
These are some of the unhealthy foods that you should not have in your Mediterranean diet menu:

• Added sugar: Candies, soda, ice cream, and other related sugary foods
• Refined grains: Pasta prepared with refined wheat and white bread
• Refined oils: Canola oil, soybean oil, and cottonseed oil
• Trans fats: Margarine and other processed foods
• Processed meats: Sausages and hot dogs, among others

Food items that should be included in the Mediterranean diet:
There is no exact definition of what a Mediterranean diet comprises since the region is made up of different countries that have varying culinary preferences. One thing that most people can agree on though, is that the diet is undoubtedly healthy and leads to the people having fewer health issues than those consuming a diametric one. The diet focuses on eating lesser red meat and instead stresses mainly on fresh fruits and vegetables. It is also highly recommended to include fish and seafood twice a day in your diet plan. The following are some of the foods that should be included in your Mediterranean diet menu: