Mediterranean Diet Goes Online

"The good thing about this diet is that food is to be enjoyed! However in order to be a weight loss diet there must always be some form of caloric restriction."

Jim, I think it has to be stated that it isn't always "less calories = weight loss". Weight management is a compex phenomenon, and isn't always so black-and-white.

Diets like the Mediterranean Diet that promote healthier eating don't always achieve weight loss through eating less. The benefits of a healthy diet can be seen as a means for weight optimization; that is, the body's positive regression to an ideal weight through providing the proper building blocks of our cellular biology. Most people think that fatty tissue only results from eating too much, but in fact it is known (by some) that cellulite forms an important part of the body's ground substance, providing a place to deposit cellular wastes. All wastes, foreign chemicals, drugs, and antibiotics are stored temporarily in the extracellular connective tissue matrix, but since the body requires permament storage for these wastes, they go into fatty tissue. That is why proper diet goes beyond caloric restriction for weight management, because you can never achieve permanent weight loss before you stop eating the foods that contribute to these wastes. Furthermore, any diet pill that doesn't address this issue of dynamic weight loss is fighting a lost battle; in fact, it is probably contributing to the extracellular wastes that I mentioned. If you simply "burn the fat" without addressing the issue of what your body can do with all its toxic substances, you are pretty much asking for these substances to be pushed so deep that they transform into a life-threatening illness from which you can never recover (i.e. cancer).

But... I think I might be going too deeply into this issue, as this concept is something that even doctors are afraid to touch.

Ben. I sure value your comments - they are most insightful!

Firstly let me say - that at it's basic level fat loss is about energy restriction (i.e. from what you currently consume). But that is a gross oversimplication. I agree with you that nutrition is complex - very complex. There are a number of diets that are about healthy eating, and weight loss is a side effect. When making that comment I was wondering what calorie levels eDiets would set for their Med diet - would they, say, take off %15 from maintenance or what? I'm hoping someone who will try the eDiets version will come back and comment.

The concept you raise about release of cellular wastes is fascinating. I've often wondered myself if burning the fat has released some of these substances, as I have got sick a number of times during a phase of "releasing" fat. Most doctors (well at least my one anyway) scoff at some of these concepts.

I think that's where the importance of the lymphatic system is understated by most health practitioners. Lymphatic vessels are just as prevalent and important in our body as our veins and arteries, yet they are regarded as secondary and non-vital to our health. Doctors still perform surgeries to remove important lymph organs such as the tonsils or spleen without knowing the consequences.

The lymphatic system cleanses and filters all fluids in our body, which includes the cellular wastes that I mentioned before. It is also imperative in fighting infections, since it is the primary pathway of white blood cells to the site of infection. When you lose weight, trying to do so just by "burning fat" without supplying adequate nutrition does not allow the lymphatic system to deal with all the wastes that are freed by this process. This is also true for too-rapid weight loss; the ideal weight loss involves perfect nutrition wherein you don't introduce more wastes into your body, and should be gradual so as to promote proper lymphatic filtration. Ideally, a lymphatic cleanse would also be done twice a year, such as the one available by German Homotoxicology company HEEL.

Despite all of this importance placed on the lymphatic system, as of second year human biology, I haven't seen it mentioned in more than two paragraphs. I also doubt nutritionists emphasize any of these importances either.

I went to the eDiet site and entered my profile (5' tall, 140 lb female) and my partner's (5'9" tall, 198 lb male). We were both told to cut back to 1200-1300 calories. Interestingly, no gender distinction although generally female weight loss requires less calories. His BMI is 2 points higher, which could be a factor. Nonetheless, I think the point of eDiet is not which plan a dieter chooses but which vehicle the site uses (dieter's choice) to deliver a very low calorie meal plan.

The Mediterranean Diet is a safe and healthy choice, but so are a few others. Never trust a diet that eliminates a food source. Even chocolate in moderation (not every day) is good for you. I agree with Ben regarding caloric intake. However, if you want to speed up your weight loss a bit, calculate the number of calories that you should consume to maintain the weight you WANT to be at and not the weight you are at. 1200 calories a day is way too low for any healthy adult. Caloric intake shouldn't be less than 1500 for women and 1800 for men and to be honest 2,000/cals is the safest.
Another healthy trend that is cropping up in almost every diet book is to eat 5 to 6 meals a day. Three main meals (moderate portion sizes)and up to three healthy snacks.

Nutrition Conscious, you are so right. Most people who are overweight are consuming something like 3,000 calories a day - cutting back to 1,200, and adding exercise like most of these diet plans recommend is certainly going to damage the metabolism.

i don't follow the plan, but i have read one of the books and my current eating habits are more European than American (i am American)

i have noticed that ever since i gave up processed foods manufactured in labs by large corporations, as well as artificial sweeteners and started eating whole foods and organics (just as my family in Italy does) i've started not only to lose weight, but i feel healthier! and i'm losing belly fat. the type that's the "hardest to lose"

but it's not diet alone. i work out. i go to Curves 3 times a week and once i week i'm in an hour long dance class.

i find that dieting is a balance. you need to be aware of what you're putting in your mouth and you need to exercise. the best way to be aware is to look at it. the only foods that should come in boxes are pasta, rice, and cereal. and if the "cheese" is orange powder... back away slowly then run in the opposite direction.

Americans have become too dependent on toxic convenience foods and have no clue that the stuff really is toxic mainly b/c the salt content is so high. out bodies retain it all b/c it has no clue what to do with the food likenesses we keep feeding ourselves. plus, no one cooks anymore, and i mean really cook. it's all frozen or canned or heat-and-eat. IMHO it's why as as a nation we're so unhealthy. the Mediterranean diet promotes healthy eating through the use of fresh foods, something that Americans have lost the concept of.

The Mediterranean diet is not a diet plan per se. I agree with kNew England Knitter.
It is a way of life consisting of wholesome natural products including very little packaged foods.
It consists mainly of vegetable dishes, small portions of meat protein and a lot of their protein comes from seafood (as in the Mediterranean Sea) :)

I have followed it for two years, lost ten pounds and have been able to keep off the weight with just a little excercise.