Mediterranean diet..the good way to eat?

Is there in this new era of our technological world, existed a particular “right way” or even a “good way” to eat? To maintain a balance diet that will give you all vitamins and minerals our body need? Well, for me I think there is. I believe that the Mediterranean diet is a GOOD WAY to eat. Not only because it’s good for your health but also because it’s good for the economy and the environment. It gives you a sense of good food and justice, for not help destroy our surroundings.

The Mediterranean diet is good for the health because it has high consumption of unsaturated fat, specifically olive oil which lowers cholesterol, a high issue in the world today. Also is convenient for the economy as it has a high consumption of vegetable and fruits which are affordable for people and in high availability. It’s also good for the environment because it has a very low consumption of meat which leads to lower unnecessary deaths of animals.

Health argument

The Mediterranean diet is high in unsaturated fat, vegetable, fruits and grains and low in fish, meat and dairy products. Which in our body bring a perfect balance of required “bad and good” fat, minerals and vitamins. The high consumption of unsaturated fat, especially olive oil lowers the cholesterol levels in the blood. Unlike Americans diets which is high in animal fat. (Martin Bruegel, "Alimentary identities, nutritional advice, and the uses of history”). Also, because the Mediterranean diet relies in plant food, which in itself is associated with a significantly longer life expectancy, which is also a prominent problem in Americans diet because of the alarming increase in mortality rate. (Mediterranean Diet Leads To Longer Life, Science Daily)

Accessibility Argument

The Mediterranean diet is not only very healthy and good for our bodies but is also very economic; it has a high consumption of vegetables, fruits and grains, which is affordable and available to everyone. Also, because of globalization the Mediterranean diet has increase in popularity because of its low impact in economy change. (Regmi A, Ballenger N, Putnam J. Economic Research Service, US Department of Agriculture) The Mediterranean diet also will impact the economy in other ways, if we were to approve and follow it, it will get ride of malnutrition, obesity in both adult and children’s, it will also help in poverty reduction and economic development because of its plants food which are of high demand and every country would be able to produce. (UNS & APCNS International Congress of Clinical Nutrition Optimal Health through Sustainable Nutrition A Conference of the International Union of Nutritional Sciences Brisbane 11-14 August 2004).





Ethical Argument

The Mediterranean diets just like vegetarians look up to certain ethical morals, maybe not as strict as vegetarians but almost so, they eat none to very low amount of animal food. Because of its subsequent slaughtering, and consumption of meat or animal products view as unethical. Some may not eat meat because of the slaughtering but because of its bad for their bodies. (Vegetarianism Good For The Self And Good For The Environment" at The Jain Study Circle) This view pacifies animal rights and workers issues. Because they don’t consume much meat it stops the unnecessary burn of fossil fuels and animal slaughter. (Vegetarianism Good For The Self And Good For The Environment" at The Jain Study Circle, http://www.env-econ.net/2006/06/diet_and_the_en.html)


But even thought the Mediterranean diet follows a balance diet, is also very similar to the American heart association diet recommendations, the heart association says that because the diets of Mediterranean peoples contain a relatively high percentage of calories from fat. It is thought to contribute to the increasing obesity in these countries, which is becoming a concern. Even thought Mediterranean only consumes unsaturated fat, the guidelines of the American heart association says is recommended to eat more saturated fat. But, more than half the fat calories in Mediterranean diet come from unsaturated fats, which doesn't rise blood cholesterol levels the way saturated fat does. The incidence of heart disease in Mediterranean countries is lower than in the United States. Death rates are lower, too. So, in perspective higher chance of life expectative and healthier ways are good ways to eat. (© 2006 American Heart Association, http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4644)
In conclusion, it doesn’t matter what diet you follow, but what matters is that is design to help and improve your body, to protect your skin and not let it die, to extend your life and enjoy it to the maximum. That’s why is good for people to know what’s good to eat. Because is not only about feeding but about your composition, how a hot dog affects your insides. To know how to take care of the only body protection we have, to make a best of this life. (http://www.drgreene.org/body.cfm?id=21&action=detail&ref=190)

The sources used in this paper are a mix from the reference given to me in the outline, and the ones that are not are researched recognized paper wither by medical institutions or government agency.