What is Common in Mediterranean Recipes?

December 31, 2010

What is common in Mediterranean recipes is the fact that these food items all vie for good health. In general, the food items prioritized in the Mediterranean food pyramid are natural foods which are simple and essentially good for our bodies.

Since this diet is derived from the people living within the borders of the Mediterranean Sea, then it is expected that fish is a common ingredient in Mediterranean recipes. However, due to the variety of this kind of diet plan, it is hard to point out the consistently picked ingredient on every Mediterranean recipe aside from the fact that each serving is proven to be tasty and healthy.

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It would be easier to classify a good diet based on the nutrition that it offers and in order to find out the foods this healthy diet plan serves, we need to look at the bottom part of a Mediterranean food pyramid as it emphasizes the necessity of these food items for our daily consumption. Some of the food items that can be expected among every Mediterranean recipe are the following:

The greens – a Mediterranean recipe is incomplete without vegetables. Since this kind of diet is known to be the gold standard for all diets, it is expected that fresh green leafy vegetables are present in every plate. It can be easily noted that the green leafy ones are more opted compared to other vegetables due to its high fiber content which is advised to be taken daily.

Fruits – same with vegetables, fruits are considered great source of fiber. Dark colored fruits such as berries are often recommended since they tend to detoxify our bodies faster from unwanted wastes. Fruits containing a lot of anti-oxidants suits any person’s body as it assist in weight reduction and daily elimination.

The good fats – Not all fats are harmful for the body, just take a look at an olive oil. Olive oil is the only oil considered in the Mediterranean food pyramid. It is a natural juice extracted from the olive fruit, of  which its high monounsaturated acid content, an essential factor in decreasing the bad cholesterol in the body and protecting us from various heart diseases. This is what makes olive oil a highly in demand pick in any Mediterranean menu.

Pasta – The versatility of pasta to any sauce and ingredient is the reason why it is commonly picked in Mediterranean recipes. Pasta is made up of eggs, water and flour that is why it is can be considered healthy. Aside from the fact that is cheap, it is a simple food that can be easily cooked and easily provides satisfaction due to its high carbohydrate content.

Overall, Mediterranean diets do encourage us to eat healthy by avoiding processed foods and overcooked foods. It tells us that it would be best to rely more on the freshness and the nutritive value of the food. What is common in Mediterranean recipes is that it entices us to go for vegetables, fruits, the good fats and pasta. These simple yet healthy foods are guaranteed to nourish our body and suffice its hunger for good nutrition.


Andrea Aurelio
About the author

Andrea Aurelio adopted the Mediterranean diet and the Mediterranean way of living after evaluating a series of diets and realizing that the Mediterranean diet is a proven diet and the best way to adopt a healthy lifestyle. You can connect with him on Google+, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

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