Not a diet as such, more a pattern of eating the mediterranean diet is described "as part of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity in Cyprus, Croatia, Spain, Greece, Italy, Morocco and Portugal. " Basically, fruit and vegetables, beans, lentils, peas and peanuts, whole grains, olive oil, and some fish . Also chicken, eggs and moderate amounts of dairy.
It can be quite high in carbohydrate with pasta, bread, or potatoes added .
What was rarely present, however, was red meat and sweet stuff.
So it is good for us? Studies have shown "that those who ate a diet rich in vegetables, nuts, fish and oils were 37% less likely to die early than those who ate red meat and butter."
