The traditional Greek Diet has several characteristics that set it apart from other popular diet, health and fat loss programs. Here at the official website of The Greek Diet™ book, our goal is to provide you with the most accurate and comprehensive information about The Greek Diet and how it can help you improve your health, reduce your body fat, maintain a healthy weight and enjoy a nutrition plan that has been proven to work in countries all around the Mediterranean sea.
The main characteristics of The Greek Diet are the following:
– High consumption of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds and a variety of spices.
– Use of fresh and seasonally grown, locally produced, unprocessed foods. – The main sources of dietary fats are extra virgin olive oil and locally caught fresh fish.
– Frequent consumption of fish and other local seafood.
– Most people enjoy wine with their meals.
– Consumption of some dairy products like cheese and yogurt.
– Red meat and eggs are consumed in smaller quantities and lower frequencies.
So how can these characteristics help you with fat loss and health?
a) The high consumption of fruits and vegetables, legumes and other plant based foods provide a big amount of fiber. This in turn increases satiety.
b) The Greek Diet™ emphasizes consumption of healthy fats. Along with the low energy density, the higher fat content will not lead to increased fat storage.
c) The quality of the fats is key. The Greek Diet™ is low in saturated and trans fats but super high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, found in fish and nuts.
d) The Greek Diet™ is really easy to follow due to it’s variety in health foods. There isn’t one food group that is excluded and it is not a low carb or low fat diet.
e) Big consumption of olive oil. Research has shown that olive oil can help control body fat and it is less likely to cause weight gain as compared to saturated fats.
f) High micronutrient density, due to the fact that The Greek Diet™ is high in fruit and vegetable consumption.
A complete guide to The Greek Diet™ can be found in the brand new Greek Diet Book which is available to pre-order by clicking here.
References:
Ferro-Luizi, the high-fat Greek diet: a recipe for all? Eur Jour clin Nutr, 2002; 56: 796-809
Owen RW, Olive-Oil consumption and health: the possible role of antioxidants, Lancet Oncology, 2000; 1:107-112
Romaguera D, Adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with lower abdominal adiposity in European men and women. J Nutr. 2009 Sep;139(9):1728-37. Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Imperial College London, London
Schroeder H, Protective mechanisms of the Mediterranean diet in obesity and type 2 diabetes. J Nutr Biochem 2007; 18: 149-160
Simopoulos, Artemis, the Mediterranean diets: What is so special about the diet of Greece? The Scientific evidence, Journal of Nutrition, 2001; 131 (11suppl): 3065-73S
Soares MJ, et al, The acute effects of olive oil versus cream on postprandial thermogenesis and substrate oxidation, Br Jour Nutr, 2004; 91: 245-252
Trichopoulou A, Lagiou, P, Healthy traditional Mediterranean diet: an expression of culture, history and lifestyle, Nutrition Reviews, 1997; 55: 383-38