The Mediterranean Diet Has One Large Flaw No One Dialogs About

The Mediterranean Diet Has One Large Flaw No One Dialogs About – The special Mediterranean diet is like the king of prom diets.

The “Best Diet” cites its love of singing praises, and the research community incessantly crowns superlative after superlative.

The best diet for heart health!

Reduce your risk of stroke!

Going to the Mediterranean lowers your blood pressure!

Just eat fresh fish, lots of vegetables, lots of olive oil, and (of course) good wine as if you were living on the Greek coast.

As a nutritionist who advocates all these benefits, I also have a big problem with the Mediterranean diet. It’s exclusive.

Or at least perceptions of the Mediterranean diet are exclusive and focus primarily on Greece, Spain, Italy, and France.

But this is a big deal. He has 18 other countries in the Mediterranean. But their food, taste, and culture are rarely included in the beloved ‘diet’ called ‘the best.

North Africa has many countries along the Mediterranean, such as Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt. The same applies to the Middle Eastern countries of Turkey, Israel, Syria, and Lebanon. Yes, many of these cultures overlap regarding food. Still, the combinations, preparation methods, flavorings, and seasonings from most other countries are rarely discussed when the Mediterranean Diet is given its gold medal.

The Mediterranean Diet has been idealized, and it is far from inclusive.

Brooklyn nutritionist Maya Feller, M.S., R.D.N., and C.D.N. agrees with me.

“The Mediterranean diet, which effectively encompasses 22 countries around the Mediterranean, has unique flavor profiles, seasonings, herbs, and foods that are not only very spicy and spicy but also a mixture of sweet and spicy.” “There is no single ‘diet’ that encompasses the entire Mediterranean region,” says Ferrer. For example, the spice-heavy Moroccan cuisine resembles the lemon-caper blend of southern Italy. Instead, Mediterranean food is what you eat. A daily focus on vegetables and fruits, beans and lentils, whole grains, more seafood than meat and poultry, and heart-healthy olive oil.

All this repeats me of a conversation I once had with a Turkish colleague over many cups of Kay, or Turkish tea, “served from sunrise to sunset at weddings, funerals, and business meetings.” I was.” says Merve Doran, founder of Turkish company Oleamea Olive Oil. It is a perfect example. Espresso is popular in Italy and Spain, while mint tea is popular in Tunisia. And in Turkey, it’s Kay. Food, drink, and flavor combinations all vary from region to region. And each of these foods and beverages has its unique health benefits.

Unfortunately, much of that is lost when combined with what fits the American lens of the Mediterranean diet. Certainly not, but given America’s melting pot, some of these other flavors and combinations need to be admired and explored.

“The most imperative thing people realize is that every culture has a dish, but it can be prepared differently or look different,” says Shana Spence of Nutrition Tea. “I think most people think of roasted vegetables, which are fine and tasty, but sauces, gravies, soups, stews, etc., are all vegetable dishes that also provide nutrients.”

Fully Embrace an Actual Mediterranean Diet.

Fully embrace an actual Mediterranean diet. If you love to cook, reflect on a cookbook featuring other recipes from North African countries or the Middle East. You may eat out regularly. If so, consider a few different restaurants that offer unique foods, flavors, and influences from different cultures.

Explore and personalize new spices, flavors, and recipes to reap their flavors and health benefits. And yes, all this can be enjoyed with Turkish olive oil drizzled on charred Israeli eggplant, Syrian pita, and hummus served with Italian red wine.