La Mediterranean Diet, scientifically appreciated for the first time by the American Ancel Keys, it was also declared by Unesco “Oral and intangible heritage of humanity for its effectiveness. Bread, pasta, fruit, vegetables, legumes, extra-virgin olive oil, blue fish and little meat, are a panacea for our health. This type of diet was called "Mediterranean Diet", precisely Mediterranean Diet. Following the Mediterranean diet should be a little bit our nature as Italians, and just do it, savoring it in all its variety of ingredients.
Ancel Keys and the Mediterranean diet
Ancel Keys was a biologist and nutritionist at the University of Minnesota; Envoy with the army during World War II, he developed a program on feeding soldiers for the US Department of War. In the early XNUMXs, Keys participated in a Food conference, from which he emerged enthusiastic to see objective data that corroborated his theories. He was struck by the low incidence of cardiovascular diseases and gastrointestinal disorders in some large areas of the Mediterranean.
Keys officially began the first official study regarding the Mediterranean diet in some areas of Italy. After many years of research, Ancel Keys concluded that a diet based on bread, pasta, fruit, vegetables, legumes, extra virgin olive oil, blue fish and little meat was responsible for great positive effects on the local population.
Get back in shape after the holidays, here is the ideal diet
In summer, especially during the holidays, we indulge in various extravagances, but then in September, the need to get back in shape arises. What better diet to choose then if not the Mediterranean diet? Of course, vegetables, fish and fruit must always be at the top of the pyramid, to regain the ideal weight-form, but without completely eliminating pasta and bread. It is not good to skip meals, or to have unbalanced or high-protein diets, but it is good to resume moderate and constant physical activity.
Never indulge in fasting, as it strains and lowers the metabolism; not just counting calories, but eating five meals a day: breakfast, mid-morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack, and dinner. A balanced diet will serve not only to purify the body from party binges and alcoholic excesses, but also to regain balance. Fruit and vegetables, consumed in at least five daily portions, being rich in vitamins that regulate our metabolism are like natural medicines.
Why not take advantage of freshly squeezed orange juices when they are in season, and consume fresh vegetables for lunch and dinner and carrots for a snack. It is also important to reduce the portions, avoiding filling the whole dish, without giving up a plate of pasta with tomato sauce and a drizzle of oil.
Always following the dictates of the Mediterranean diet, it is best to choose the fresh blue fish, preferring it to meat, opting for white meats such as chicken and rabbit. Fish contains polyunsaturated fatty acids, antioxidants, and is less caloric and much more digestible than meat and also recommended for children.
If you really want to get back in shape, better avoid too many refined fats and sugars, contained mostly in processed and fatty desserts. We also avoid very salty foods, especially sausages and especially if packaged with red meat. If you observe a few rules of self-discipline, with cereals, legumes and intake of carbohydrates, proteins and minerals, it will not be difficult to obtain results.
The Mediterranean diet is a friend to us, however sometimes we can make some exceptions to the rule; you should not be too rigid at the table, since a "sin of gluttony"Every now and then it gratifies us, rewards us and improves our mood and smile.
Let's get in kitchen and let's cook!
Of course you should never forget to do some sports in the gym, or taking advantage of the good days to go for a walk or jog, why not? Relaxers are also sufficient walks or give up the car, the bus and take the stairs instead of taking the elevator. The Mediterranean diet is our friend, so let's not abandon it.
