What is the Mediterranean Diet that everyone seems to be talking about these days? It is a dietary eating pattern that incorporates foods that are typically eaten in countries that border the Mediterranean Sea. This diet emphasizes eating more plant-based foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, and legumes, and consuming less animal-based products such as red meat and poultry. It includes low-fat or fat-free dairy products, fish, olive oil, and nuts. The aim of the Mediterranean Diet is to limit the consumption of added sugars, sodium, highly processed foods, refined carbohydrates, saturated fats, and fatty or processed meats (American Heart Association, 2020). According to the American Heart Association, following a Mediterranean eating pattern may help to prevent heart disease and stroke. It may also reduce the following risk factors: obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.

Are you interested in learning more about the Mediterranean Diet, but not sure where to start? We will be hosting the MED Instead of Meds program at the UF/IFAS Extension Orange County office starting on Thursday, July 6th, 2023! In this six week program, you will learn Med tips, life hacks, and recipes that will help you eat the Med way every day. Check out the attached flyer for more information on signing up and participating in the class:

Not able to attend the class, but interested in more information on the Mediterranean Diet? This UF EDIS document is a great resource: The Mediterranean Diet: The Power of Food

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