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The term Mediterranean Diet is a misnomer because it implies that all people have the same diet. It actually refers to the pattern of eating that is common in the traditional diets around the Med. While the foods vary by region, the pattern of traditional eating is the same---about 75% plant-based.
There is a lot more to their "pattern of eating" than the macronutrient proportions. Even with the same macronutrient proportions, Americans eating as Americans eat would still result in an obese population.
There is a lot more to their "pattern of eating" than the macronutrient proportions. Even with the same macronutrient proportions, Americans eating as Americans eat would still result in an obese population.
The majority of Americans eat the Western Diet which is also a pattern of eating. The Western Diet is generally defined as a too high intake of red meat and products, refined grains, fried foods, processed foods, pre-packaged foods, over-refined sugars, high fat dairy products, other highly refined and saturated fats, high sugar foods and drinks,--------- and a too low intake of vegetables, fruits, nuts and fish.
More than 70 years of research and studies have proven that the traditional Med pattern is vastly superior to the Western pattern, and years of research and studies proving that the Western pattern is harmful.
No one has said that the Med pattern is the only way, but Americans (particularly those of European descent) might do well to eat more like the traditional Med pattern than the Western pattern. The Western pattern is nutrient deficient and high calorie. The Med pattern is nutrient rich and low calorie. It's not as convenient as the Western and that is where it loses many people. It requires planning and food preparation. Individuals choose how they prioritize their time and other resources.
The majority of Americans eat the Western Diet which is also a pattern of eating. The Western Diet is generally defined as a too high intake of red meat and products, refined grains, fried foods, processed foods, pre-packaged foods, over-refined sugars, high fat dairy products, other highly refined and saturated fats, high sugar foods and drinks,--------- and a too low intake of vegetables, fruits, nuts and fish.
More than 70 years of research and studies have proven that the traditional Med pattern is vastly superior to the Western pattern, and years of research and studies proving that the Western pattern is harmful.
No one has said that the Med pattern is the only way, but Americans (particularly those of European descent) might do well to eat more like the traditional Med pattern than the Western pattern. The Western pattern is nutrient deficient and high calorie. The Med pattern is nutrient rich and low calorie. It's not as convenient as the Western and that is where it loses many people. It requires planning and food preparation. Individuals choose how they prioritize their time and other resources.
There is a lot more to their "pattern of eating" than the macronutrient proportions.
The majority of Americans eat the Western Diet which is also a pattern of eating. The Western Diet is generally defined as a too high intake of red meat and products, refined grains, fried foods, processed foods, pre-packaged foods, over-refined sugars, high fat dairy products, other highly refined and saturated fats, high sugar foods and drinks,--------- and a too low intake of vegetables, fruits, nuts and fish.
More than 70 years of research and studies have proven that the traditional Med pattern is vastly superior to the Western pattern, and years of research and studies proving that the Western pattern is harmful.
No one has said that the Med pattern is the only way, but Americans (particularly those of European descent) might do well to eat more like the traditional Med pattern than the Western pattern. The Western pattern is nutrient deficient and high calorie. The Med pattern is nutrient rich and low calorie. It's not as convenient as the Western and that is where it loses many people. It requires planning and food preparation. Individuals choose how they prioritize their time and other resources.
Yes, they certainly do. "Families" aren't what they used to be...it's much less common for there to be someone at home who's been raised to believe she is the cook for the family and that's one of her major responsibilities. BTW, I don't agree someone should automatically get saddled with that - I'm saying that in many families everyone's either working or has school activities, etc. and right, food is not a priority. And if it is, it is more than likely a woman making that happen. It's a lot easier if there's someone (not "you") who is doing the shopping and preparing of most of the meals FOR you.
Years of parenting has opened my eyes to the eating habits of other families, and I can say without a doubt that some of the problem is learned behavior. There are advantaged households, with time and resources to buy healthy food, that regularly drink soda with meals, eschew fresh veggies, and subsist on high fat/salt/sugar packaged food. I don’t believe that was as common in the 70s and 80s.
Portion sizes are another thing that has undeniably changed. Look at the history of the calorie content of a McDonald’s meal over the decades. Supersize, indeed. One fast food meal can now have enough calories for a full day (and far exceed the recommended sodium).
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ralph_Kirk
The government has been suggesting this daily diet since the late 70s:
2-3 servings of dairy
3-5 servings of vegetables
2-4 servings of fruit
6-11 servings of bread, cereal, rice, or pasta
2-3 servings of meat, poultry, fish, beans, or eggs
Per day!
This is true, but those “servings” are surprisingly moderate.
You may be surprised to learn these are serving sizes:
1 slice of bread
½ cup rice or pasta (cooked)
1 small piece of fruit (super-large apples are 2+ servings)
1 wedge of melon
¾ cup fruit juice
=1 cup milk or yogurt
2 oz. cheese (about the size of a domino)
2-3 oz. meat, poultry or fish (this is about the size of a deck of cards)
I do agree that properly prepared veggies are wonderful. However I usually do not encounter such in restaurants. What I usually encounter are dumb salads—bowls of packaged greens topped with a protein and dressed with some sort of sweet dressing. You mention requesting specially prepared veggies, and this is exactly what I was referencing in my post. I have trouble ordering straight off most menus. I have to make requests, and believe me, I usually do.
I sometimes am delighted by an offering of fresh veggies, and DH surprised me with lunch at an upscale place on my birthday. My lunch included fresh spinach, I believe. It was lovely. But mostly, I am faced with choosing one menu item out of everything else and specifying certain things. And this is my point. It takes constant mental energy and vigilance to eat healthy in this country.
I do resent being told that eating out is a “choice.” Why should I be forced to always eat at home?
Yes! As a person who cooks almost daily, I have a difficult time finding restaurant food that doesn’t make me feel crappy (literally and figuratively). Finding mom and pop places serving international fare helps. American style restaurants are not my friend.
Yes, they certainly do. "Families" aren't what they used to be...it's much less common for there to be someone at home who's been raised to believe she is the cook for the family and that's one of her major responsibilities. BTW, I don't agree someone should automatically get saddled with that - I'm saying that in many families everyone's either working or has school activities, etc. and right, food is not a priority. And if it is, it is more than likely a woman making that happen. It's a lot easier if there's someone (not "you") who is doing the shopping and preparing of most of the meals FOR you.
Society moved on some time ago. When one partner was at home, they had the luxury of spending hours cooking---because they could and partially because it was necessary for many of the dishes they ate. Their meals weren't necessarily healthy.
Nutritional science is much more advanced today and culinary has evolved. Healthy, nutritious meals can be made quickly. We also have gadgets and cookers that were not available back then to streamline the process, but many healthy meals can be made in as little as 30 minutes without any of those things. Some even less than that. Planning meals and acquiring the ingredients in advance make it easy. It's just not as convenient as a drive-thru.
My wife and I worked full time and shared cooking when our kids were growing up in the 90s. We taught them to cook so they could take care of themselves as adults. School and extracurricular activities made life more hectic than it already was, but that is what parents sign up for when they decide to have children. It's not an excuse to shirk the responsibility of providing healthy meals to our kids.
Years of parenting has opened my eyes to the eating habits of other families, and I can say without a doubt that some of the problem is learned behavior. There are advantaged households, with time and resources to buy healthy food, that regularly drink soda with meals, eschew fresh veggies, and subsist on high fat/salt/sugar packaged food. I don’t believe that was as common in the 70s and 80s.
Portion sizes are another thing that has undeniably changed. Look at the history of the calorie content of a McDonald’s meal over the decades. Supersize, indeed. One fast food meal can now have enough calories for a full day (and far exceed the recommended sodium).
This is true, but those “servings” are surprisingly moderate.
You may be surprised to learn these are serving sizes:
1 slice of bread
½ cup rice or pasta (cooked)
1 small piece of fruit (super-large apples are 2+ servings)
1 wedge of melon
¾ cup fruit juice
=1 cup milk or yogurt
2 oz. cheese (about the size of a domino)
2-3 oz. meat, poultry or fish (this is about the size of a deck of cards)
Yes! As a person who cooks almost daily, I have a difficult time finding restaurant food that doesn’t make me feel crappy (literally and figuratively). Finding mom and pop places serving international fare helps. American style restaurants are not my friend.
I think it makes most people feel that way if they are honest, especially if they eat that way daily or often. However if they've always eaten that way, maybe they just don't realize how much better they could be. The idea of preparing their own meals is probably daunting when they have no energy or stamina from eating crappy, energy-draining and nutrient-poor foods.
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