Mediterranean Diet?

You want to try it out for a week and then give an opinion on it?

What for? 1 week will literally tell you nothing. I don't understand why you would do that.

Just to see if it feels sustainable. I find that I fall off the bandwagon most often when I don't get variety.

You can do anything for a week- a week is a blip in time.

The reality is you need to find something sustainable- if you have to say "i'm going to try this X diet for a week" odds are it's not sustainable.

So- 1.) a week will tell you nothing, 2.) if you feel like it's something you have to call a diet and make massive changes- it's not going to work.

Thanks @OG Alecia. I had a little heart scare in my family lately and it's made me want to focus more on putting my heart health first...

@JoRocka fair point. Have you ever posted an example of the diet you maintain on the forums? Since you get paged so often for health advice, I'm sure people would get some good insight from you.

I have. But it's not a diet.

I mean- diet in the way you use the word 'weather.' My 'diet' is just what I eat- rather than something specific.

The reality is you have to find something that works for you- I'm a big fan of IIFYM- if it fits your macros.

I aim for over 100 grams of protein a day- when I'm bulking- I aim for over 40% of my diet to be from carbs (and protein) when I"m cutting it's 40/40/20- Protein/fat/carbs.

I don't usually eat breakfast- I have some sort of small snack around 10:30 (carrots/small pretzles- whatever)

I typically eat chicken for lunch around 1 PM with veggies

I have yogurt + granola + blackberries + protein powder for my 8 PM snack while I'm at dance class.

Then I eat 2-4 slices of bacon with eggs w/ veggies for dinner.

I usually eat out once a week- and I'm for a higher protein/fat meal.

I don't really follow a diet- I do what's easy for me (meal prepping chicken and eating eggs for dinner)- and then aiming for meats and veggies.

it's what works for my life- but I don't prescribe to a specific diet- I eat a fair bit of "junk" food regularly- so I don't really detail it because it's what works for me- and might not work for you.

I know nothing of the Mediterranean diet but just popping in to agree with Jo… find something that works for you.

When I need/want to drop a few pounds I don’t change my diet… I just eat less and workout more.

The three months leading up to my wedding I dropped to 1200 calories a day and tried to keep my carbs around 30%, protein at 40% and fat at 30%. I cut back on sugar but did not eliminate it as I know that just sets me up for failure.

ETA: When I find myself really sliding off the deepend I like to pull out my Whole30 book and get back to the "basics".

Thank you, ladies. I'll incorporate some of the Mediterranean recipes into my cooking repertoire but will not be expecting any medical miracles. I appreciate the input!

TacoCat- I think that's why some of these things work(ish) but not.

They help teach you foods that are tasty that you can/should be reaching for- they have a high satiation factor (meaning- they make you feel full) and they tend to be low (er) calorie options.

This goes back to the lipstick = cake analogy for me.

Lipstick isn't necessary- but it makes you feel good.

Cake isn't necessary- but it makes you feel good.

You can't buy all the lipsticks- ALL THE TIME- you gotta pay your bills at some point- same with the cake. you cant' eat cake all the time- you gotta put real food in the tank- but it doesn't mean lipstick/cake are inherently bad for you.

I use LoseIt. It's an app that tracks your calories for you.

You start to notice patterns...if I eat a lot of fat one day I gain weight the next. If I have a day that's more protein and carbs I lose weight.

Not looking so much for weight-loss as healthy alternative to the burger-and-fries approach that FH and I are guilty of falling into from time to time. But thank you My Fitness Pal is a tool I used in college a good bit.

If you aren't in need to losing weight- and your health markers are fine- then carry on eating as you are eating.

Burgers are pretty effing delicious IMHO- and are a pretty good macro split as long as they aren't covered in sauces and cheeses.

...they're for sure covered in cheeses. :'(

I hear Mediterranean diet is good for longevity. I've loosely followed the 21 day fix because it is all about portion control, eating the most of what's best for you, and also is helpful for when you know you need swaps (wine, chocolate, etc). I've slowly lost 10ish pounds over the year doing it off and on. It's really less of a diet and more of an easy common sense manageable plan.