Heart Healthy Diet

The Mediterranean Diet


What is the Mediterranean diet?
People from Mediterranean countries (e.g., Greece, Southern Italy, France, Spain) have lower rates of heart disease than Americans. This led researchers to look at the differences in diet. The Mediterranean diet is not a single diet, but rather a pattern of eating that includes the following: Lots of fruits, vegetables, bread, and other cereals, beans, nuts and seedsOlive oil Dairy products, fish and poultry in low to moderate amounts, and little red meatWine in low to moderate amountsAlthough potatoes and eggs are part of the traditional Mediterranean diet, they are not usually counted as heart-healthy foods because there is no evidence that they lower your risk of heart...