It is true that following a Mediterranean lifestyle offers plenty of advantages, like good health, flavorful food and a lot of fun. But, at the same time everything that you hear about this way of life is not true. There are certain misconceptions which need to be cleared. Let us have a quick look at 7 such myths about this diet.
This Diet is Unhealthy Because it Contains Too Much Fat:
It is true that the people living in the Mediterranean coast eat more fat than what people take in the United States, but it really does not mean that their diet comprise of only high fat. The average fat intake by the people living in the Mediterranean region is only 35%, whereas people living in the United States take 36% fat. People in Mediterranean region eat only mono-saturated fats that are healthy for the heart.
No Single Mediterranean Diet:
This is a misconception. It would not be true to say that there is no single Mediterranean diet. There is one prototype. It can never mean that you cannot blend Mediterranean ingredients together.
Olive Oil is Drizzled on All Salad Types:
It is true that the people living in the Mediterranean region prefer to use heart-healthy conception that used in all salads and cooked vegetables is a wrong one. Actually, olive oil is produced in abundance in this region and people prefer using this oil over others. But, that does not mean, they use olive oil only.
Nuts Comprise Major Portion of Their Diet:
Nuts are used mainly in the sweets and sauces, but in a daily routine people living in the Mediterranean region do not use nuts. Each family here grows the almond tree and when the right season comes all the family members eat almonds and save some for the guests too.
Pasta is the Most Favourite Food:
There are many who associate Mediterranean food with Pasta. However, this is not true. Mediterranean diet contains a large amount of starches like rusks, barley, wheat bread and potatoes. But, it does not mean that people in this region take a bowlful of pasta in the lunch and dinners.
Mediterranean Strictly Follow Mediterranean Diet:
This is another prevalent myth. There are plenty of people living in the Mediterranean area that do not prefer following the traditional Mediterranean diet. Greeks have stopped having their traditionally heart-healthy foods and prefer having processed foods.
People From Mediterranean Take Huge Meals But Never Gain Weight:
Last but not the least, it is true that sometimes even after eating heavy meals people living here can manage their weight. However, in the majority of the cases, people gain weight because the diet taken here is rich in calories though these are saturated fats and good for your heart.
Author-Bio: Maria Mcquire is the Content Manager for National Insurance or NI number used in the UK for the administration of the national insurance and also an author by profession who is born and brought-up in UK. An avid blogger, she can pen down on any topic she comes across.
