Have you ever wondered why some people living around coastal regions have toned bodies?
Well, the Mediterranean diet (along with some healthy workout routines) contributes to their body toning.
What is a Mediterranean diet?
The diet has been associated with people living around the Mediterranean Sea for ages.
Still, whether you live around the Mediterranean Sea or not, you can get the most out of this diet by making a few healthy changes to your daily meal platter.
The diet isn’t a fad diet. Instead, it’s a healthy way of eating to help you get that perfect body while reducing the risk of random health issues.
Following the Mediterranean diet can contribute to a healthy lifestyle.
This diet mainly includes healthy food options such as lean meat, seafood, fresh fruits and veggies, nuts, seeds, dairy, and healthy fats.
You should avoid processed or packaged foods in favor of fresh, seasonal, and wholesome options.
It is recommended to follow Mediterranean diet guidelines when choosing your daily meals.
Moreover, include certain portions of fruits and vegetables daily. Regarding fruits and vegetables, go for all the fresh and seasonal ones.
What are the benefits of the Mediterranean diet for women?
- Women have a greater risk of developing osteoporosis than men, and the Mediterranean Diet can be beneficial as it includes calcium-rich foods.
- One of the other biggest benefits of the Mediterranean Diet is that it includes all the potassium-rich foods, like greens, potatoes, legumes, and winter squash, that facilitate the development of muscles and tissues in the body.
- It also helps stabilize blood pressure, reducing the risk of heart-related diseases.
- Women require a daily dose of Iron due to blood loss during the menstruation cycle. This Mediterranean diet contains high amounts of lentils, almonds, spinach, lean red meat, and dark meat poultry rich in iron.
- The Mediterranean Diet has multiple benefits, including reducing the risk of various heart diseases in women. You can start ahead with your day while feasting on oatmeal and gain the most out of a fiber-rich food that doesn’t only keep you filled for the next few hours but also helps in lowering the cholesterol levels within the body.
- Healthy fats from avocados, olive oil, nuts, and seeds benefit skin, hair, and nails. Moreover, these healthy fats can help keep you full for longer hours and reduce untimely hunger pangs.
- This diet can also benefit women during pregnancy, as its healthy fat content supports the brain development of the fetus. Besides, it fulfills all the extra nutritional requirements of women during that period.
Dos and Don’ts of the Mediterranean diet for women
While you are practicing a Mediterranean diet for women, there are certain dos and Don’ts that you need to abide by to achieve the desired results.
Do’s
- Always include wholesome food options in your diet in the right portions and serving sizes.
- Keep track of your daily calorie intake to let your body enter a calorie deficit and trigger the weight loss process.
- Indulge in a healthy exercise schedule to boost the body shaping and toning process.
- Drink sufficient water to avoid dehydration
- You may include moderate amounts of red wine after consulting with your physician.
Don’ts
- Avoid food and beverages with refined sugars and other added preservatives
- Don’t go for frozen food options available in the market
- Avoid too much caffeine and alcohol while following this diet
- Don’t go ahead with this diet without consulting with your physician
Weekly meal planner for Mediterranean diet for women
Day 1.
Breakfast- 1 serving of scrambled eggs with onion flakes
Snack- 1 serving of plain tuna salad
Lunch- 2 servings of spinach avocado salad with 1 serving of cheese slices
Snack- Almonds ( 1 oz)
Dinner- 1 serving of chicken cabbage salad with roasted broccoli
Day 2.
Breakfast- 1 serving of cream cheese omelet with 1 serving of cheese toast
Snack- 1 serving of non-fat Greek yogurt and strawberries
Lunch- 1 serving of smoked salmon with mixed greens ( 4 nos)
Snack- Almonds (1 oz)
Dinner- 1 serving of ground turkey, bean, and walnut stir fry with mixed greens.
Day 3.
Breakfast- 2 servings of scrambled eggs with spinach and tomato
Snack- 2 servings of spinach avocado salad
Lunch- 1 serving of grain-free tabouleh salad with 1 serving of yogurt and strawberries
Snack- Pecans (1 oz)
Dinner- 1 serving of Arugula salad
Day 4.
Breakfast- 1 serving of classic omelet with 1 apple
Snack- 1 cup of non-fat Greek yogurt and strawberries
Lunch- 1 serving of plain tuna salad with sliced bell pepper
Snack- Almonds (1 oz)
Dinner- 2 servings of zucchini pasta
Day 5.
Breakfast- 1 serving of cottage cheese breakfast with 1 apple
Snack- Almonds ( 1 oz)
Lunch- 1 serving of tuna avocado salad
Snack- 1 apple with almond butter
Dinner- 1 serving of easy grilled garlic chicken with 1 serving of roasted Brussell sprouts
Day 6.
Breakfast- 1 serving of Denver omelet with feta cheese and 1 whole-wheat toast
Snack- Almonds ( 1 oz)
Lunch- 2 servings of carrots with hummus
Snack- Granola ( 1 oz)
Dinner- 1 serving of baked ground turkey ziti and mixed green salad
Day 7.
Breakfast- 2 servings of over-easy eggs with cinnamon apple bites
Snack- Almonds ( 1 oz)
Lunch- 2 servings of stir-fried prawns with salsa sauce
Snack- Granola ( 1 oz)
Dinner- 1 serving of smoked paprika chicken with 1 serving of warm apple and turmeric drink
The bottom line for the Mediterranean diet for women
This diet can bring tremendous results for your health and well-being if followed properly.
Moreover, track the food options and associated calories to get the most health benefits from this Mediterranean diet for women.
Printable (PDF) Mediterranean diet for women
Meals | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Breakfast | 1 serving of scrambled eggs with onion flakes | 1 serving of cream cheese omelet with 1 serving of cheese toast | 2 servings of scrambled eggs with spinach and tomato | 1 serving of classic omelet with 1 apple | 1 serving of cottage cheese breakfast with 1 apple | 1 serving of Denver omelet with feta cheese and 1 whole-wheat toast | 2 servings of over-easy eggs with cinnamon apple bites |
Snack | 1 serving of plain tuna salad | 1 serving of non-fat Greek yogurt and strawberries | 2 servings of spinach avocado salad | 1 cup of non-fat Greek yogurt and strawberries | Almonds ( 1 oz) | Almonds ( 1 oz) | Almonds ( 1 oz) |
Lunch | 2 servings of spinach avocado salad with 1 serving of cheese slices | 1 serving of smoked salmon with mixed greens ( 4 nos) | 1 serving of grain-free tabouleh salad with 1 serving of yogurt and strawberries | 1 serving of plain tuna salad with sliced bell pepper | 1 serving of tuna avocado salad | 2 servings of carrots with hummus | 2 servings of stir-fried prawns with salsa sauce |
Snack | Almonds ( 1 oz) | Almonds (1 oz) | Pecans (1 oz) | Almonds (1 oz) | 1 apple with almond butter | Granola ( 1 oz) | Granola ( 1 oz) |
Dinner | 1 serving of chicken cabbage salad with roasted broccoli | 1 serving of ground turkey, bean, and walnut stir fry with mixed greens | 1 serving of Arugula salad | 2 servings of zucchini pasta | 1 serving of easy grilled garlic chicken with 1 serving of roasted Brussell sprouts | 1 serving of baked ground turkey ziti and mixed green salad | 1 serving of smoked paprika chicken with 1 serving of warm apple and turmeric drink |
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