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How to Eat a Mediterranean Diet for Heart Health

By , SparkPeople Blogger
For years, the Mediterranean "diet" has been touted by many nutrition experts as a way to reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease, certain cancers and more, but the advice had been loosely based on the results of "observational studies."  People living in countries that border the Mediterranean Sea, including Greece, Italy, Spain and Turkey, tend to have a lower risk of those diseases. These folks consume a bounty of fresh and wholesome fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, beans, olive oil, nuts and seeds.

However, the evidence favoring a Mediterranean-style eating plan just got much stronger.   A major clinical study published this week in The New England Journal of Medicine found that about 30% of heart attacks, strokes and deaths from heart disease can be prevented with a Mediterranean-style eating plan. Test subjects for this experimental study were selected if they had risk factors for cardiovascular disease such as type 2 diabetes, smoker, hypertension, elevated LDL cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol, overweight or obesity, or a family history of premature heart disease.  The scientists randomly assigned the 7,447 male and female subjects (ages 55-80) into one of three groups:
  • Mediterranean diet plan plus 4 tablespoons olive oil daily
  • Mediterranean diet plan plus a 1 ounce mixed nuts (walnuts, almonds and hazelnuts), or
  • A low-fat diet plan
The Mediterranean-style eating plan clearly provided a protective boost for these test subjects who had risk factors for heart disease.
 
The results of this study now position the Mediterranean diet as a powerful eating plan when it comes to the prevention of heart disease. If you want to compare your daily diet to the Mediterranean plan used in the study, here's the checklist:



Trans-Continental Cuisine
You don't have to cook exclusively Mediterranean dishes at home to integrate this healthy eating plan into your life.  You can easily incorporate these eating strategies into many of your favorite meal plans no matter where you live and which cuisines you prefer.
  • Top a salad with a small handful of walnuts or slivered almonds.
  • Switch from beef to a fish in your tacos, and use a corn tortilla packed with romaine lettuce, diced tomatoes and onions, and topped with mango salsa.
  • Mix lentils with your favorite rice dish and top with a vegetable-tomato sauce.
  • Stir-fry chicken with snow pea pods, bell pepper strips, onions, broccoli and cauliflower in olive oil.  Serve over brown rice and top with walnuts and a dash of soy sauce.
  • Mix up your own homemade Italian dressing using olive oil and your favorite flavored vinegar.
Want more Mediterranean inspiration? Try one of these recipes:


If you're dining out, follow these guides to choose healthier Mediterranean fare:
Dining Out: Italian Cuisine
Dining Out: Greek & Middle Eastern Cuisines
 
What is your favorite Mediterranean dish? How do you incorporate this lifestyle into your own meals?

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Comments

DAWNGW 6/28/2019
This "diet" is my favorite because it is sustainable and a lifestyle choice. Just eat real food, not from a package or box. I love that it encourages eating more fish and vegetables and less red meat (though I love that, too). I do love wine but I have to drink on an occasional basis to keep the blood sugar down and to lose weight. Those recipe ideas look so delicious, I'm on board 100%!!! Report
SUNSET09 3/24/2019
This "diet" seems so healthy and clean eating. Although I don't drink wine, it will probably work for me. Thanx for sharing and enjoy your day. Report
THEFITNESSDIETS 3/18/2019
The small things always matter. If we all tried to do the tiny things,some of the big things would never materialise.

Super cute illustration.https://thefitnessdiet
s.com/mediterranean-diet/ Report
ECOAXUM
Great recipes. Report
KHALIA2
They all look very good. I must be hungry! Report
PAULA3420
I LOVE this article and the RECIPES that it offers for eating a Med Diet. I can not dring wine daily. It has too much sugar for my diabetes. THANKS for your mention about wine NOT being the best choice of beverage. Report
BILLTHOMSON
Thank-you for the input. It seems I've been doing the Mediterranean diet without knowing it. Report
ROBBIEY
Very interesting Report
COOKBREN1
Thank's for this information..Good healthy food.. Report
MSROZZIE
Excellent article and wonderful recipes, thanks! Report
HEDSTS58
This type of diet is one of my favorites. The chicken with orzo is very good Report
BILLTHOMSON
We have a neighborhood of Middle-Eastern restaurants and I am putting them on my list to visit. Report
LIS193
This looks delicious! Report
BABY_GIRL69
These look so delicious especially since I haven't had breakfast. I do desire to eat foods that I wouldn't have eaten 7-8 years ago. My taste buds are open...YUMMY. Report
JANET552
Thanks! Report
BRIARGAL
Delicious! Report
BIKE4HEALTH
This is a very healthy way to eat. Report
MILTONS_MAMA
This really gives no conversion to a vegetarian or a vegan diet. It looks impossible for me, since I am a vegetarian.

Also, I just want to add, to disagree with the last poster, not all chicken are free range. That's really not true at all! Most chicken are raised in cages, and never see the light of day. But many are allowed to walk around inside a building, yet there is no light, and often when workers come in, they step on the poor chickens and injure them. Chickens aren't given the good care that you think they are. You need to buy organic, free range chicken, if that's a concern of yours. Report
LIN1263
Dark chicken meat has 2 times the nutrients as light meat, a long time a go McDonalds used 1/3 dark meat in the nuggets until the fad for white meat came on the market. Beef has a lot of nutrients that chicken & fish do not, as long as it is natural without hormones & G.M.O. Chicken fat no longer has the cholesterol it had in the 1950's as the chickens are younger & leaner and all chickens are now free range even if it does not say on the package.Chicken skin now will help to lower cholesterol.. Report
RAPUNZEL53
Nice! Report
BONDMANUS2002
interesting Report
TERRI1458
It looks like I am eating a Mediterrian diet without trying! Good for me. Report
NASFKAB
great ideas thanks for sharing Report
ROBBIEY
Love this one. Report
LIN1263
I use the DASH diet,it is rated #1 for the past 6 years,it is similar but less strict, my pharmacist last week advised me to include more beans,fish,olive oil & nuts in my diet. I think the wine might help me raise my blood pressure it is 80/50 most days,walking raises it. I am also advised that my cholesterol is below the minimum to be healthy so advised to eat more foods with cholesterol and avoid low fat dairy, as it is harming my organs and brain with not enough. I was also advised to include lot of salty foods, I think I will add more salt to healthy foods instead at every meal. So, with my medical health conditions I will include the beans,fish,fruit,vegetables,wine,wh
ite meat,chicken,olive oil & nuts,but no low fat foods for me. Report
GABY1948
GREAT way to eat1 Report
J2740LOU
I have made a few and we still enjoy them. I am maintaining my goal weight, Report
FROSIA_EST
Nowhere in the cited article in the NEJM, a low-fat dairy is listed as beneficial. In fact, the low-fat control group did the worst of the three in this study. Low-fat dairy (except milk) has too many additives such as gums, polysaccharides, starches, and stabilizers which negate health benefits of removing fat. Report
ACACIA21
looks tasty! Report
DUNNBV1017
Ei am looking for a Mediterrnean diet plan....I do better With structure...like day 1 eat this for breakfast...day 1 for lunch eat this, day 1 for dinner eat this...and then they give u either a week or a month plan. Any suggestions, books or does spark people have a plan? I am anxious to get started but I need some structure that I could use with some flexibility
Report
TIFFFIT
Mediterranean foods are great for heart health and weight loss, but the Mediterranean lifestyle is so much more than food. It's slowing down, enjoying the company during meals, savoring each bite, using flavorful spices and herbs, getting outside, walking (a LOT) and generally paying more attention to life in general. Adopting all of those habits makes a person much healthier, and if starting with the deliciousness of Mediterranean food is step one, then so much the better. We went to Greece last month and it was WONDERFUL. Report
GINGERMACC
You do not have to drink the wine if you don't want it. There are many facets to following a Mediterranean-style lifestyle. The wine is just one recommendation - it is not set in stone. Obviously if it is against your religious beliefs, causes adverse health risks, or is not palatable then don't include it. My dad's family physician told him grape juice is a good substitute. Report
GRANMABOO
I love my red wine, fish and vegetables...looking forward to using the Mediterranean Diet as my weight loss guide to healthier eating. Report
CLAY10237
Red wine is most prevalent in Greek, Italian and Spanish cuisine....white wine doesn't have the same antioxidant properties as red wine.... Report
BURNINGTHYME101
Suddenly I'm on 3 new medications. I heard about this diet and how it's suppose to be good for diabetics so I'm getting the facts on how to even start out with it. This sounds like something that I can do and hopefully my sweet tooth will subside with it's help. Report
ADAMJETKING123
Yes that's perfect. I have heard that Mediterranean Diet can reduce chances of heart disease?

Report
SOBERISLANDGIRL
There are thousands of articles on this site it doesn't mean that each and every one is going to pertain to you. I think that if you were to talk to any dietician, nutritionist, or doctor they would be more than happy to tell you that a single glass of wine a day does not an alcoholic make.
It's time people haul their heads out of the sand. Just because an article does not work with your lifestyle, does not make it bad. If you were in Canada I wouldn't be able to help but call you a "Harperite".... Report
TXDREAMZ
Try Moscato wine. Slightly sweet and you can find in red, white or pink. It also comes in champagne. I was never a big wine drinker but this has easily become my house wine! You would also most likely enjoy a Riesling. Very similar in taste. Also these are very reasonably priced! :) Report
SARGE31106
What kind of wine would you recommend? I've tried several and haven't found anything I could adapt too. Report
BOROFITGIRL
Great blog. The recipes look delicious--I can't wait to try them. Thanks for giving me some new tips for my healthy lifestyle. Report
MANDAMYMANDA
Thanks for breaking it down so nicely! Report
MANDAMYMANDA
Thanks for breaking it down so nicely! Report
MICHELLEOJONES
I do not like wine. I will not drink wine. I will not pay for wine, and my reasons are my own. For someone to suggests I will be unhealthy is wrong. May I suggest you look at the negative attitude effects have on the heart and lighten up. Lets be happy and healthy,and don't tell me what I have to eat. Report
MADZI88
Love that this promotes eating WHOLE foods! Report
MRSKATEDUVALL
there is a Spark team devoted to this lifestyle plan. and I agree, it is hard to eat locally, in the winter and follow the concepts. I use lots of canned tomatoes, olives, walnuts. I don't do the wine, because I have addictive tendencies and dont need to add something to the list of things I binge on. I do take the supplement that has the same benefit as the red wine. Report
IAMTOLOSE
When I finish the regime my doctor currently has me on, I plan to maintain my weight with this eating plan. A glass of wine will be included. Report
BONNIEJJJJJJJ
I find it so funny that you can turn on the TV today and sex, violence and questionable content are readily available but we still live in such a prudish society. One glass of wine a day does not make you an alcoholic. My doctor recommended 1 glass of red wine per day because the tannins in the grapes help reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol. As stated in the article, this diet is meant for heart health and reducing one's cholesterol in turn could prevent damage to the heart tissue and arteries in the body. In no way did DailySpark say that this was a mandatory option. No dietician/doctor is going to tell you that you have to eat/drink a certain item since it is a part of the culture. If you disagree with the choice, drink water instead. The benefits of one glass of wine a day outweigh the damage by far. Report
SHKIRK
WOW i never have been turned on by beans( sorry lentils) before Kinda kinky. They sound like they will taste great. Who Knew !! Report
KYLAR_STERN
This is a really healthy diet, and oh so delicious. Just got to watch out as a lot of attempts to follow it end up being to high in carbs and not getting enough protein.

Only complaint about it is that just about every study has since disproven that saturated fats from animals are bad for you. Remember to eat your yolks, and beef in unashamed amounts for a healthy diet as well. Report
JESSICA-RABBIT
Squabbling about the optional wine? This article disseminates a 4.8 year scientifically conducted research study involving a control group. The empirical research of these scientists determines 3.5 oz of wine daily has a positive effect on heart health. This article and website are tools for improving health. I am here to learn how to improve my health. I am not here to have science distorted by the religion and values of others. The earth is not flat. Report
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