What is the Mediterranean Diet?

In 1965 Dr. Ancel Keys divulged the fact that in Crete, where 40% people food intake was olive oil, the heart diseases were considerably low. There is not an exact formula of the Mediterranean diet, but the olive oil is the most significat factor.

Other important sources of calories in Crete came from bread, olives, vegetables, cheese, fish and wine.

About eighteen countries border the Mediterranean Sea. Countries with very different cultures, religions, ethnic background, economy and agricultural production. It’s difficult to say that there is only one Mediterranean diet. Anyway, the common Mediterranean dietary pattern has these characteristics:

• olive oil is an important monounsaturated fat source
• dairy products, fish and poultry are consumed in low to moderate amounts, and little red meat is eaten
• eggs are consumed zero to four times a week
• wine is consumed regularly in low to moderate amounts (except in Muslim countries)
  

More at http://www.mediterraneadiet.com/