Difference Between The Flat Belly Diet & The Mediterranean Diet

The Flat Belly Diet, presented in the book "Flat Belly Diet" and as an online diet plan, promises to help you lose weight, especially the stubborn fat around your waistline. The plan is based on the principles of a Mediterranean diet, which focuses on in-season produce, limited red meat and healthy, unsaturated fats. The author of the book, Liz Vaccariello, adds dieting rules to these principles to create a gimmicky weight-loss plan.

Significance

Belly fat is not just a cosmetic concern. Excess fat at the abdomen can raise your risk for chronic diseases, including heart disease, some cancers and Type 2 diabetes. Belly fat responds well to classic weight-loss measures, including reducing calories, healthier food choices and exercise. If you are concerned about your health due to your waist size, you want to choose the diet plan that offers the most benefit and can help you sustain weight loss in the long run.

Mediterranean Diet Features

The Mediterranean diet is modeled on the diets of people who live along the Mediterranean Sea. For hundreds of years, these diets have focused on plant foods, including fresh produce, whole grains, plant oils, nuts and seeds. Eggs, dairy and fish are eaten in moderation while red meat, saturated fats and sugary foods are rarely included. Foods common in the traditional American diet, such as processed sandwich bread, cereals, snack mixes, chips, candy and soda, are not a part of traditional Mediterranean diets. One of the hallmark characteristics of the Mediterranean diet is the emphasis on heart-healthy unsaturated fats, such as those found in olive oil, nuts and avocados. A Mediterranean diet may include more than 35 percent of daily calories from these healthy sources. A Mediterranean diet correlates with a reduced risk of heart disease, cancer, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.

Flat Belly Diet

The Flat Belly Diet has two phases, a four-day “anti-bloat” jump start and a four-week eating plan. During the anti-bloat phase, you make meals from a prescribed list of foods and drinks designed to reduce water retention and relieve bloating. You also drink “sassy water,” composed of water, ginger root, cucumber, lemon and mint, to help flush out your system. On the four-week eating plan, you are allowed three 400-calorie meals and 400 calories in snack foods every day, for a total of 1,600 calories. The Flat Belly Diet does emphasize the importance of unsaturated fats; you are asked to replace saturated fat-ridden foods such as butter and chips with healthier options like olive oil or nuts.

Differences

The Mediterranean diet is a lifestyle choice, not a set eating plan with specific calorie allotments and food choices like the Flat Belly Diet. While the Mediterranean diet is based on fresh, whole foods, the Flat Belly Diet offers multiple processed food options including energy bars, frozen dinners and fast food. Whereas activity is inherent in the culture of people who live in the Mediterranean, the Flat Belly Diet details a specific exercise plan. It promises immediate, quick-fix results and targets appearance, while the Mediterranean diet is a way of life that can promote good health and longevity. Extensive research has been conducted on the potential health benefits of the Mediterranean diet, but there's no research on the ability of the Flat Belly Diet to duplicate these benefits.