Without doubt, America has a weight problem. An estimated 17% of all children and adolescents are overweight, and their parents are doing even worse: nearly one third of American adults aren’t just overweight, but obese (Source: American Heart Association).
Disturbing statistics show a steady climb in obesity from the early 1960s, when the obesity rate stood at just 10 – 15% of the population, to the more than 30% of the population today. In other words, the percentage of obese Americans has tripled in the last forty years. Remember: these numbers just reflect obese Americans and do not include the “merely” overweight.
Hard Decisions About Dieting
Given the plague of weight problems facing American children and adults, it should be no surprise that there are more diet fads today than ever before. From Jenny Craig to Jared the Subway guy, it seems that everyone is selling their own method of losing weight. As a result, Americans have been inundated in the last decade with conflicting dieting and nutrition information, which can be very hard to sort out.
What follows is a closer look at three diets that have garnered attention in recent years: The Atkins Diet, the South Beach diet, and the Mediterranean diet. By examining the pros and cons of each dieting theory, and especially the science (or lack thereof) behind each theory, choosing the right diet for your body and your lifestyle will be easier than ever before.
There are nearly twenty countries that border the Mediterranean Sea, from Italy, Spain, and France to Turkey, Syria, Libya, and Egypt. In comparison to American diets, almost all traditional Mediterranean diets include a healthy amount of fish, olive oil, whole grains, nuts, and fresh fruits and vegetables.
Furthermore, before the globalization of readily-available manufactured foods, most Mediterranean cultures ate foods that were seasonal and locally grown, because that was what was most readily available.
Unlike other diet fads, the Mediterranean diet isn’t about deprivation or obsessive calorie counting. Rather, the Mediterranean diet is about a lifestyle change – a change from fast food to slow food, from lots of meats to lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Some Americans are concerned that a Mediterranean diet lifestyle would take too much time and cost too much money. However, as we’ll see below, it’s possible to eat healthy while sticking to a reasonable budget.
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Known for its multitude of health benefits, fish has deservingly earned “miracle food” status. Whether you’re looking to lose weight, lower cholesterol, or even reduce arthritis pain, adding fish to your diet is key.
Not surprisingly, more and more doctors recommend the Mediterranean Diet for their patients. With a focus on fruits, vegetables, nuts, red wine, and fish (specifically blue fish, sardines, tuna, and anchovies), this eating plan proves to be one of the best heart-healthy diets available.
A Rich in Fish Diet Health Benefits
Don’t despair if you’re a meat and potatoes kind of eater—incorporating more fish into your daily lifestyle is actually easier and more fun than you might think. For example, grilled fish steaks served on toasted buns make a great alternative to traditional hamburgers. Instead of the standard fried chicken dish, try breaded oven-baked catfish. Or simply add some grilled salmon to your favorite salad. The options are endless.
While all fish can provide those wonderful omega-3 fatty acids, doctors do recommend some types of fish above others.
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