The Mediterranean Diet Ranked Top of 2019

Every year, The US News and World Report employs a panel of experts to analyze and review all types of diets and ranks them in terms of safety, disease prevention, nutrition, weight loss effectiveness, and ability to be followed easily.

This year, The Mediterranean Diet not only won TOP Diet of 2019, beating out all 40 other diets reviewed for first place.

The Mediterranean Diet also also ranked first in the following catergories:

• Best Diet for Healthy Eating
• Best Plant Based Diet
• Best Diet for Diabetes
• Easiest Diet to Follow

Why I Love The Mediterranean Diet

We are no stranger over here to singing the praises of the Mediterranean Diet & Lifestyle.

Back in May 2018, I shifted the entire focus of this blog over towards a more Mediterranean Inspired Lifestyle.

Aside from the health benefits, I love that the diet puts importance on social connections, physical activity and bringing back the joy of eating.

Instead of focusing on eliminating or restricting certain foods from the diet, the Mediterranean Diet focuses on what you should ADD into your diet and teaches you how to incorporate healthy foods and fresh ingredients into delicious yet simple meals.

What is The Mediterranean Diet

The Mediterranean Diet is a lifestyle that focuses on –

• Eating primary plant based foods –  fruit and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, seeds and nuts
• Focusing on fresh and local food instead of pre-packaged, heavily processed foods
• Eating fish at least 2 times a week
• Moderate intake of dairy
• Limiting red meat consumption
• Focusing on heart healthy fats instead of saturated fats and trans fats (ie olive oil in place of butter)
• Using fresh herbs and spices to flavor foods in place of salt
• Limiting refined grains and added sugars
• Red Wine in moderations
• Enjoying meals with family and friends
• Being active and getting plenty of exercise

What are The Health Benefits

The Mediterranean Diet has been linked to reduced risk of heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, and possible ties to improvement in cognitive decline & Alzheimer’s. This post goes more in depth on the research associated with the benefits of this lifestyle.

Since we don’t eat specific foods simply based on their nutritional benefits, it’s important to focus on your way of eating as a whole. The foods work together to create a balanced, healthy way of eating and living.

How to Start the Mediterranean Diet

The beauty of this mediterranean inspired lifestyle is that it’s really about what to add to your meals instead of what to remove.

You can find My Tips for Starting a Mediterranean Diet here. Remember that small changes are the best way to go when starting something new.

Mediterranean Diet Meal Plans

Every week I try to share my family’s Mediterranean Diet inspired Weekly Meal Plans.

It’s a way to get new ideas, find new recipes and just see how others are incorporating the principles of this lifestyle into their homes.

Mediterranean Diet Recipes

One thing I really love is that the recipes in this lifestyle focus on simple flavors and cooking methods that anyone can create at home.

Fresh ingredients, herbs and spices really bring these foods to life!

Some of my favorite Mediterranean Diet Recipes include –