Cretan diet for weight loss and rejuvenation

The Cretan diet is the path to longevity, a healthy heart and a slim figure. It includes natural food that is easy and quick to prepare. If you work and don’t have time to cook, this diet is for you. Dishes give a lot of energy and most importantly – help to lose weight. In addition, this type of diet is ideal for summer, because it is based on fresh seasonal vegetables and fruits. The diet of the inhabitants of Crete is an example of a balanced healthy diet, and we at Joy-pup will tell you about its features. Before you decide on the Cretan diet, be sure to consult your doctor.

Basics of the Cretan diet

What is the essence of the Cretan diet? This is not another calorie counting torture, but a source of long life for the locals. Although it is very close to the culinary traditions of the Mediterranean countries, it has its own characteristics. These features give exceptional value in the prevention of cardiovascular, oncological and other diseases. In addition to health, you will have beautiful skin and a slim figure.

Natural, traditional and local products are the hallmark of the Cretan diet, but some other facts may surprise you. For example, consumption of three times more fat than the average in other countries. And the only oil consumed by Cretans is olive oil. Another surprise of the diet is the consumption of bread. Meat and fish make up only a small part of the Cretan diet.

The basis of the diet is fruits, legumes and vegetables. Almost every dish is served with boiled or fresh vegetables and legumes. The inhabitants of Crete, living in the villages, prepare food only from fresh products. Eat foods that are seasonal and, if possible, grown in the geographic area where you live. Last but not least is wine – one glass of wine is a regular addition to a meal.

Cretan diet rules

1. Use olive oil as your base fat. Substitute it for all other fats and oils for frying and salad dressings.
2. Give preference to gentle heat treatment of food – steaming, stewing, baking.
3. Eat plenty of fresh fruit as a daily dessert, and limit your intake of sweets that are high in sugar and saturated fat.
4. Include more plant foods in your diet – vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts and seeds. They prevent the absorption of cholesterol, saturate for a long time, improve intestinal motility.
5. The amount of vegetables and fruits should be at least 400-500 g per day, and in half-cooked form. Try to use fresh fruits and vegetables, not those that have been in the refrigerator for a long time.
6. Eat a small amount of cheese and yogurt 3-4 times a week.
7. Eat small to moderate amounts of fish and poultry and limit eggs to 4 per week.
8. Limit red meat to once a week.
9. Add various aromatic herbs to your dishes, which, in addition to a pleasant taste, are also strong antioxidants, a rich source of vitamins and minerals. They are a necessary condition for the metabolism of fatty acids and contribute to their proper absorption by the body.
10. The Cretan diet is rich in bread – three times more than we usually consume. However, this is only whole grain bread, which is not terrible for the figure.
11. Eat regularly, like the inhabitants of this island – 3 times a day at the same time.
12. Cretans drink 1-2 glasses of red dry wine at dinner, which helps protect blood vessels and prolongs cell youth.
13. Prohibited foods: sweets, saturated fats, butter, rice, sausage, fatty cheeses, ice cream, beer, fried foods.

The main characteristic of the Cretan diet is simplicity. No fancy recipes, complex combinations or exotic spices. Another feature is the freshness and quality of the ingredients used. Try to always use seasonal products that grow in your climate, this is the most delicious and healthy food. Products that are transported from one end of the world to another in cold stores lose their nutrients and taste. The Cretan diet will help you to be healthy, slim and beautiful in the long run.