| "Eat healthy and be active" is the | | | | as an antioxidant too. Dairy products like |
| universally acknowledged theory to staying | | | | milk, yogurt and cheese are added flavors |
| fit. Food has to be appealing to the eyes and | | | | used in a very low amount. For instance, |
| kindle the taste buds too. The Mediterranean | | | | cheese is used only for flavor and not |
| diet is a healthy balanced diet of plant food | | | | excessively as a cooking base. Butter and |
| cooked in "good" fat. That does not mean | | | | margarine are almost absent in the diet. |
| there is a total cut on animal products. The | | | | Similarly, fish, poultry and meat are often |
| Mediterranean diet pyramid recommends animal | | | | grilled or roasted and never fried.The |
| fat and products to be taken in small | | | | recipes do not make use of any processed |
| quantities occasionally. In a Mediterranean | | | | food. For instance they would prefer fresh |
| diet a major portion includes vegetables, | | | | spinach to processed and salted canned food. |
| cherries, spinach, beans, mushrooms, | | | | Mediterranean diet recipes are unique for |
| tomatoes, watermelon, eggplant and potatoes. | | | | their flavor and taste. Most of the flavors |
| Whole grain bread, pastas and cereals are the | | | | in various food preparations come with the |
| main course in the diet. Fruit is the most | | | | use of onion, garlic, spices such as |
| preferred dessert. The food is followed by | | | | cinnamon, clove, pepper, oregano, Italian |
| wine that is consumed in small or moderate | | | | parsley and certain natural herbs like basils |
| amount. Wines are prepared from grapes, | | | | -- all cooked in olive oil. There is also |
| pomegranates and persimmons. The diet is also | | | | wide use of citrus juices such as lemon and |
| inclusive of dairy products especially cheese | | | | orange used in cooking. In fact, wine is used |
| that is to be taken in a small | | | | in recipes whether it be a main dish, salad |
| quantity.Mediterranean cuisines are known for | | | | or dessert. The recipes vary from state to |
| their wonderful taste and time saving cooking | | | | state, and are fresh vegetables and other |
| practices. The recipes widely make use of | | | | plant food produced locally. However, most of |
| olive oil in cooking, garnishing and salad | | | | the flavor favors remain the same like the |
| dressing. It is a low saturated fat that acts | | | | olive oil. |