How to Avoid Forbidden Foods on the Mediterranean Diet

The Mediterranean Diet is not a new diet. In fact, it has been around since the mid 1940s. It is based on the traditional Cretan diet that includes olive oil, fresh fruits and vegetables and whole foods. If you are ready to try out this diet, use these steps to avoid foods that are off limits on the Mediterraneans diet.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Avoid fatty cuts of meat. Replace fatty cuts with learner meat choices like turkey and chicken breasts. You will also want to add lots of fish to your diet, especially fish that are high in omega-3 fatty acids like wild salmon.
2. Use plant-based fats instead of animal based fats. Don't use butter or lard in your cooking. Instead use olive oil, which is a great source of antioxidants and healthy unsaturated oils. Flax seed oil is another great plant fat that you can use, it is high in omega-3 fatty acids and is very healthy for you.
3. Throw out all products made with refined sugars. Refined sugar is a no-no on this diet. Treat your sweet tooth with fruit instead of sugary desserts. For example, have a bowl of berries instead of a piece of cake.
4. Eat the right kind of dairy products. While animal protein is limited in this diet, dairy products are okay, as long as they are non fat or low fat varieties. Low and non-fat yogurt and mozzarella cheeses are great options, as is skim and fat free milk.

Tips & Warnings

• To get the best results from the Mediterranean Diet look at it as a lifestyle change, instead of as a diet.