"Eat healthy and be active" is the universally acknowledged theory to staying fit. Food has to be appealing to the eyes and kindle the taste buds too. The Mediterranean diet is a healthy balanced diet of plant food cooked in "good" fat. That does not mean there is a total cut on animal products. The Mediterranean diet pyramid recommends animal fat and products to be taken in small quantities occasionally. In a Mediterranean diet a major portion includes vegetables, cherries, spinach, beans, mushrooms, tomatoes, watermelon, eggplant and potatoes. Whole grain bread, pastas and cereals are the main course in the diet. Fruit is the most preferred dessert. The food is followed by wine that is consumed in small or moderate amount. Wines are prepared from grapes, pomegranates and persimmons. The diet is also inclusive of dairy products especially cheese that is to be taken in a small quantity. Mediterranean cuisines are known for their wonderful taste and time saving cooking practices. The recipes widely make use of olive oil in cooking, garnishing and salad dressing. It is a low saturated fat that acts as an antioxidant too. Dairy products like milk, yogurt and cheese are added flavors used in a very low amount. For instance, cheese is used only for flavor and not excessively as a cooking base. Butter and margarine are almost absent in the diet. Similarly, fish, poultry and meat are often grilled or roasted and never fried. The recipes do not make use of any processed food. For instance they would prefer fresh spinach to processed and salted canned food. Mediterranean diet recipes are unique for their flavor and taste. Most of the flavors in various food preparations come with the use of onion, garlic, spices such as cinnamon, clove, pepper, oregano, Italian parsley and certain natural herbs like basils -- all cooked in olive oil. There is also wide use of citrus juices such as lemon and orange used in cooking. In fact, wine is used in recipes whether it be a main dish, salad or dessert. The recipes vary from state to state, and are fresh vegetables and other plant food produced locally. However, most of the flavor favors remain the same like the olive oil. |
