Changing your diet is one of the fastest ways to lose weight. Weight carried in the midsection can be dangerous to your health causing diabetes, heart disease and many other health risks. Your diet is a direct reflection of your body. Eating healthy foods will directly reduce the size of your belly and help to lose pounds.
Mediterranean Diet
The Mediterranean Diet promotes weight loss and will help to whittle the waist. It also lowers bad cholesterol and helps create a healthy heart. The diet consists of the basics of healthy eating. It focuses on getting plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats and nuts. Mayoclinic.com states that the diet helps reduce heart disease and is a healthy way to lose weight.
Healthy Fats
The Mediterranean Diet focuses on eating healthy fats like monounsaturated fats and limits trans fats and saturated fats. The diet incorporates olive oil into the diet. Olive oil is used as a substitute for butter. Raw nuts like almond, walnuts and cashews are also eaten often in the diet. Healthy fats added into meals and snacks help to promote a feeling of fullness. A feeling of fullness promotes weight loss because over eating is less likely to occur.
Lean Meats
The Mediterranean Diet focuses on eating lean meats like chicken and turkey. Portion control is important during the diet and small amounts of meat should be eaten--about the size of a deck of cards. Red meats are omitted from the diet because they contain saturated fat, an unhealthy fat. Healthy fish, like salmon, tuna and trout, is also included in the diet and should be eaten two times a week. The American Heart Association explains that people who consume the Mediterranean Diet eat less saturated fat than the average American diet.
Other Foods
The Mediterranean Diet is great for weight loss because it focuses on eating small amounts of food and often. This helps prevent over eating and gaining weight. Whole grains are also important in the diet because they contain a high amount of nutrients and are a good source of fiber. Whole grains will keep the body full longer which will prevent over eating. Dairy is also consumed in the diet but in small amounts. Low-fat dairy and eggs are eaten in moderation.
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