Mediterranean Diet vs Paleo

The Mediterranean diet vs. Paleo diet debate is still on, and everyone from sports celebs and fitness enthusiasts is putting forward their perspectives in the same regard.

While a few points towards the Mediterranean diet’s underlying health benefits, others favor a diet that involves our ancestors’ dietary patterns.

Still, if we look at both diets from a neutral perspective, they come with their share of pros and cons.

A quick Overview of the Mediterranean diet

There is no thumb rule to practicing the Mediterranean diet, and you can follow it while bringing all the high-quality whole foods with lots of nutrition.

We must not call it a diet in the real sense and instead quote it as a popular eating pattern of people living around the Mediterranean Sea.

The world first came to know about this diet when a team of nutritionists from Boston, along with experts from the Harvard School of Public Health and WHO, designed a Mediterranean diet pyramid in 2003.

This pyramid talked about the major components and features of the Mediterranean diet that included food items like :

Seasonal fruits and vegetables
Whole grains
Herbs and spices
Legumes and beans
Nuts and seeds

Besides all the foods mentioned above, the Mediterranean diet also included certain portions of seafood and fish. Additionally, you are allowed to consume moderate amounts of eggs, poultry, and dairy.

The purpose here is to encourage an eating pattern that includes all whole, locally sourced, unprocessed food items.

Thanks to the lifestyle of the people living around the Mediterranean Sea, you are also allowed moderate amounts of red wine with the evening meal.

A Quick Overview of the Paleo diet

Mediterranean diet vs Paleo – Paleo diet

There isn’t any significant difference between the Paleo diet and the Mediterranean diet. Right like its counterpart, this diet plan also focuses on eliminating any processed food from your diet.

The diet is also based on the rules and principles of the Paleolithic era when our ancestors fed themselves with all the plant and animal-based food options.

There were no farms and factories in that era, and humans used to hunt and fish to source their daily dietary requirements.

The message is loud and clear- we are not supposed to eat what our ancestors didn’t. So, include many meats, fish, raw fruits, and vegetables in your diet.

Which diet plan is more beneficial for your health?

The Mediterranean diet is solely based on locally sourced fresh food items, so you can stay assured of minimizing the risk of health issues like heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and certain types of cancers.

On the other side, the paleo diet helps you lose some quick weight while also avoiding the risk of health issues like obesity and type 2 diabetes.

So, in a nutshell, we can say that both diet plans have their share of health benefits for people around them. You can follow the one that suits you better for your weight loss and fitness goals.

Are there any risks or side effects associated with these diet plans?

When we talk about the Mediterranean diet, it is often considered the safest diet on this planet.

This is because it’s more of a lifestyle than a diet plan. Every food item is recommended in moderation, and there are minimal guidelines about ‘what you cannot eat.

On the other side, the Paleo diet is considered a highly restrictive diet. Although it has a list of benefits, the risks and side effects cannot be overlooked.

The diet doesn’t involve whole grains, so your body is missing out on its dietary fiber share. We all know how important the role plays in our digestion and metabolism.

The bottom line for the Mediterranean Diet vs Paleo

Both diet plans have their strong points and weak points. So, you need to be mindful while picking the one that best serves your specific health and fitness goals.

Also, consider dealing with a physician or doctor before getting started with either of the diet plans.