ABSTRACT

This chapter focuses on specific topics related to adopting a healthy Mediterranean-style diet in the people life. It includes transferring the Mediterranean dietary pattern to non-Mediterranean countries, maintaining a Mediterranean-style diet, increasing the health benefits of a vegetarian or vegan diet when following a Mediterranean eating pattern, choosing foods when eating out that fit a Mediterranean-style diet and taking steps to begin moving toward a Mediterranean-style diet. A meta-analysis in 2008 of 12 studies on adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet in diverse populations reported a significant improvement in health status after several years on this type of diet. One of the biggest health benefits derives from consuming a variety of plant foods, such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds, and whole grains in daily meals, the keys to healthy eating across the life cycle. The foundation of all Mediterranean-style diets is the high consumption of plant foods, along with moderate consumption of some animal foods.