Glad it gave you some new ideas, KCCC.
In the program they were saying there were good things in many other diets of course but the Mediterranean diet was good because you can stick with it long term, it's not too drastic or complicated either. The italian population is very healthy in general too ... and that's how they eat over there.
It's funny I was looking at the pyramid and there were a lot of things I was eating already not knowing they were included in the Mediterranean diet ... I was almost spot on with the Mediterranean lifestyle without even knowing about it.
Since I started dieting/training I eat more grains, bran cereals, whole wheat bread, legumes, vegetables, various nuts (all unsalted), yogurt and milk, more oil as well ... (I make my own mayonnaise & vinaigrette (for my salads)
Same quantities as before : Cheese, Fruits, Fish, Poultry, eggs.
I eat less meat, sweets (sugar), margarine, salt, juice, alcohol (beer, wine) ... than before.
I eat more of many things, it's not like I'm starving, I just have smaller meat portions and almost no sweets. That makes a big difference.
I suppose I could even trade some red meat dinners and make fish dishes more often, salmon, mmmm ...
I like everything anyway, I think the only thing I don't like to eat is OLIVES.
Cheers !
Marc
Disclaimer : I am following a more extreme version of the 'No-S' diet.
I made my own personal modifications to the original plan (Diet & Exercise)
What I am doing should not be misinterpreted as being a typical 'No-S' diet experience.
11/01/2008 : 280.0 pounds
08/21/2009 : 196.4 pounds
( 9 months 21 days / -83.6 pounds )
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Goal : 11/01/2009 : 190.0 pounds ( 1 year / -90.0 pounds )