ChefOnline Blog ChefOnline 0330 380 1000
ChefOnline Blog | Reviews, Recipes, And Everything Foody
img
  • Home
  • Food
  • Recipes
  • Takeaway
  • Current Affairs
  • Restaurant
Indian restaurant near me

Healthy and Simple Ways to Enjoy Mediterranean Cuisine

ByChefOnline
on September 10, 2019
1433

Mediterranean cuisine is full of vibrant colours, unique ingredients, and exotic flavours. Long before the “med diet” entered the lexicon of healthy food habits, people had embraced the lifestyle. The cuisine has amazing flavours devoid of junk food, which makes it a healthier choice for the young and old. From fatty fishes to fruits and vegetables, staples are aplenty on your platter. Studies now reveal that the Mediterranean cuisine offers plenty of health benefits ranging from brain health to heart health, weight management, and sleep support.

Foods Included in a Typical Mediterranean Cuisine

Mediterranean cuisine is all about simple and healthy cooking, including all the common food you already intake. However, it is just about controlling the portion size. The cuisine is plant-based, emphasizing heavily on vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts, beans, seeds, and olive oil. You can also consume fish, poultry, dairy, and eggs regularly, but in smaller portions than a typical Western Cuisine. Meat is also a part of the cuisine, but occasionally, included in small portions to make beans or pasta dishes, and for some sauces. Mediterranean lifestyle also involves drinking red wine moderately.

Seafood is used as the primary source of protein appearing in most dishes. Owing to the close proximity to the sea and easy access to fresh seafood, you can find it commonly throughout this region.

Fresh herbs are also an integral part of the Mediterranean cuisine. The geography and climate of this region are naturally suitable for growing herbaceous plant, including both imported and indigenous. With some cultural variation in using certain herbs, the overall Mediterranean cuisine uses oregano, basil, rosemary, thyme, parsley, marjoram, mint, dill, tarragon, garlic, cilantro, saffron, and fennel.

A basic tenet of the Mediterranean lifestyle is to enjoy, relish and respect the food.

Why are Mediterranean Cuisine and Lifestyle Healthy for all?

Researcher Ancel Keyes’s original work ignited scientific interest in Mediterranean cuisine and lifestyle. The research conducted at the University of Minnesota focused on the cuisines and food habits of the Mediterranean region. It showed that inhabitants of the Mediterranean countries had a longer lifespan and a lower rate of severe illnesses despite a higher rate of drinking and smoking. It was also found that diet plan has potential health benefits, which includes lower risk of heart diseases, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and cancer.

Distinct Mediterranean Cuisines

Although some common elements unify the Mediterranean cuisine, some significant cultural and regional differences exist. The cuisine of the Mediterranean is divided into three broad groups:

Eastern Mediterranean encompassing culinary traditions of Turkey, Greece, Lebanon, Egypt, Palestine, Israel, and Syria. Their cuisine mainly includes fresh cheese, yogurt, and sauces with flavours of sumac, lemon juice, mint, and parsley.

Southern Mediterranean found mainly in Southern France, Spain, and Italy. Pork is the staple food with garlic, tomatoes, capers, mustard, pine nuts, and anchovies.

North African Cuisine characterized by the use of spices of Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, and Libya. They regularly use coriander, cumin, cinnamon, saffron and paprika for cooking. Lamb, goat meat and mutton are their dominant sources of food.

You may also like

post-image

7 Popular Fish Dishes For When Meat Is Off The Menu

ByChefOnline
on September 12, 2021
2474
0
post-image

Indian Takeaway Order Demystified: Guidelines and Tips to Make the Most Out of It

ByChefOnline
on November 07, 2024
954
0
post-image

What are the Differences Between Chinese and Japanese Food?

ByChefOnline
on September 16, 2021
3142
0
post-image

Which Dishes Best Represent Turkish Cuisine?

ByChefOnline
on November 26, 2020
1927
0

Welcome to

ChefOnline Food Blog

ChefOnline Service Rating

Trustpilot

Categories

  • Current Affairs
  • Food
  • Recipes
  • Takeaway
  • Restaurant

RECENT POST

  • ChefOnline10 Spicy Dishes for the Brave-Hearted
    July 23, 2025
  • ChefOnlineThe Difference Between North Indian & South Indian Menus: What You Should Know Before You Order
    July 18, 2025
  • ChefOnlineHow to Order Authentic Tandoori Dishes
    July 15, 2025
  • ChefOnlineWhat Makes Bangladeshi Cuisine Unique?
    July 11, 2025
  • ChefOnlineA Beginner’s Guide to Thai Food Ordering in the UK
    July 04, 2025

Like Us On Facebook

BEST TAKEAWAYS
  • Indian
  • Bangladeshi
  • Fast Food
  • Thai
  • Pizza
  • Italian
  • View all cuisines
SERVING AREAS
  • London
  • Newcastle
  • Rochester
  • Watford
  • Liverpool
  • Oxford
  • View all locations
COMPANY
  • Restaurant sign up
  • How do we use cookies?
  • Mobile Apps
  • Contact us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • ChefOnline Blog
SOCIAL MEDIA

FOLLOW US ON

Copyright © 2025 ChefOnline. All rights reserved.