Perks of a Mediterranean Diet

Being of Armenian descent, I grew up eating a Mediterranean diet. My elders would always explain to me how healthy our meals were, which mostly consisted of protein, vegetables, and olive oil based meals. 

I knew my grandparents were onto something when I began to see pre-made hummus on the shelves in supermarkets, basically when hummus became a mainstream health food. The only hummus I had ever known was homemade, with chickpeas manually crushed by my grandmother and every other ingredient added afterward. 

Following a Mediterranean diet has many benefits. Olive oil, nuts, wine, vegetables, whole grains, and fish are the main staples of the diet. Other sources of protein and fruit also greatly make up the diet. 

Here are some of my favorite recipes that follow the Mediterranean diet plan: 

Foul Mdamas (Fava bean soup) 

This soup of Lebanese origin is one of my absolute favorite meals, which I normally eat for breakfast. Fava beans are a great source of protein, and can have a great impact on building muscle when consumed regularly. I also like to add in as many vegetables as possible when eating this. Some of my favorites to add are tomato, cucumber, onion, and parsley to taste. Fun fact: eating this meal for dinner one night resulted me in dropping 3 pounds the next morning! It is a very filling meal, so you won't feel the need to snack or have dessert. 

Hummus

Hummus is another staple in my household. I have tried Sabra brand hummus and yes, it's good, but nothing beats homemade hummus in my opinion. Hummus is very nutritious and is packed with plant based protein, and is also great for regulating blood sugar due to its low glycemic index. It's also high in fiber so it will keep your digestive system in great shape. I personally try to stay away from eating my hummus with pita bread which is the true Mediterranean way. I stick to dipping veggies, such as carrots, celery, and bell pepper sticks, to incorporate more vegetables into my diet and steer from the complex carbohydrates present in pita bread. 

Tabbouleh Salad 

Another one of my favorites: tabbouleh salad. This mix of chopped parsley, tomato, and bulgur wheat is sure to satisfy your cravings and keep you full for a while. This salad is great as a side or eaten completely on its own, and I love to eat it with lettuce how it is shown in this photo! The simple olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic dressing will leave you with a tangy flavor that compliments the vegetables perfectly. This salad is very low in calories, which is a major bonus! I like to prepare this in large batches and store it in the fridge to be eaten on multiple occasions throughout the week. 

If you have not yet considered following a Mediterranean diet, I would definitely recommend giving it a try. You don't have to follow it completely, but just incorporating a few of these recipes into your diet will ensure that you are adding enough vegetables and healthy fats into your diet on a regular basis. Try these recipes out and let me know what you think!