Red meat and candies are only eaten in small quantities. Processed meats (sausages, bacon, ham, corned meats, salami or sausages) and packaged foods must be processed. There is no single Mediterranean diet, but general guidelines suggest focusing on healthy plant foods and a moderate intake of dairy products and fish or seafood. The diet does not include highly processed foods, such as candies and processed meats.
Processed meats include bacon, meat for lunch, and sausage. The Mediterranean diet does not encourage the consumption of red and processed meat. Consume them only rarely. One of the reasons the Mediterranean diet can benefit your health is because it provides a balance of nutrients and is adaptable and easy to follow. Ian, once again, regardless of the quality of the meat or whether it's processed or not, the Mediterranean diet is characterized by a low consumption of meat in general, so if meat is part of your daily diet, it's not really a Mediterranean diet.
I was trying to make healthy changes and saw a short documentary on a Greek island where people usually live for more than 90 years, which led me to the rabbit hole in the Mediterranean. Basically, following a Mediterranean diet means eating the way people in the Mediterranean region traditionally ate. Northern Italy has a very “Nordic” diet with lots of meat that cannot be considered a Mediterranean diet. Evidence suggests that a Mediterranean diet may reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in people with cardiovascular disease. These are the main foods that the Mediterranean diet encourages us to limit or eliminate for optimal health.
The Mediterranean diet is not a specific diet plan, but rather a way of eating based on the diets that people in countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea usually consume. Effects of the Mediterranean diet on the prevention of type 2 diabetes, disease progression and related mechanisms. For this reason, the Mediterranean diet is an appropriate option for those seeking to improve their health and protect themselves against chronic diseases. I think his argument in favor of the Mediterranean diet is solid.
However, many Italians I know would totally disagree with your statement that they don't follow a “Mediterranean” diet and that many Greeks eat excellent cured meats. Studies suggest that following a Mediterranean diet may have an anti-inflammatory effect compared to other Western diets. The Mediterranean region has many types of food and cuisines, so there is no specific Mediterranean diet, but rather an eating style. The Mediterranean diet is rich in plant-based foods, such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds.
The vitamins, minerals, photochemistry and fiber provided by diets (large amounts of vegetables, fruits, grains, and beans) are thought to explain the lower incidence of cancer usually found in the United States of America.
