Mediterranean Diet Awarded the Best Diet Plan 6 Years in Succession

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Each year, U.S. News & World Report ranks the best diet plans. This year marks the sixth consecutive year that the Mediterranean diet has been ranked the best diet overall.

The Mediterranean diet is a healthy departure from our typical modern diet.

Daily Diet Composition

The typical diet includes:

1. Carbohydrates. White rice, white flour, and sugars are refined (also called simple or processed) carbohydrates. Whole, unprocessed carbohydrates include whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
2. Protein. Plant-based protein comes from beans and nuts; animal protein comes from animals, including beef, lamb, chicken, duck, and fish.
3. Fat. Animal and vegetable fat can be further divided into saturated fatty acids, unsaturated fatty acids, long-chain fatty acids, and short-chain fatty acids. Some fatty acids are not found in the human body and must be obtained from food; they are called “essential fatty acids.” Similarly, “essential amino acids” cannot be produced by the body and must come from food.

In addition, food contains a large number of trace elements, minerals, and vitamins.

Problems with the Modern Diet

Under normal circumstances, most of the above ingredients are necessary for our bodies.