Mediterranean diet VS Paleo; 5 Things you should know before it’s too late

Sandeep Shukla
12 min readJan 11, 2022

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Mediterranean diet VS Paleo diet You can pick from any of these popular diets, but while choosing a diet program to achieve your health goals, please choose the one that is compatible with your lifestyle sufficient to ensure you’re able to follow it to the other and get the most benefits.

The question is, which one do you choose between a Mediterranean food plan or Paleo? and what is the reason behind it?

The Mediterranean and Paleo diets are geared towards different preferences and goals for health. Even though the two diets have different approaches, it is vital to understand that they are both healthy alternatives to the standard American diet.

If you’re wondering which diet is best for your health and fitness goals, then this article is for you. We’ve covered the benefits of both the Mediterranean and Paleo diets, and we’ll help you decide which one to choose!

Mediterranean diet VS Paleo

Mediterranean diet VS Paleo diet

The Mediterranean diet focuses on plant-based foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, and healthy fats such as olive oil. This type of lifestyle has been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by up to 10%.

The Mediterranean diet also reduces inflammation in the body and improves cognitive function.

Paleo is a more restrictive form of eating that focuses on meaty foods like eggs, meats, and fish, with vegan options.

By avoiding grains and dairy, paleo eaters can reduce inflammation in the body and improve gut health. Paleo is also great for people who want to lose weight or get lean because it keeps you full longer!

While both diets have benefits, Mediterranean diet vs paleo, which one should you choose? The decision may come down to how many plant-based foods you can handle.

If you do better with more meat, Paleo would be the best choice for your health and fitness goals! If you want to reduce your risk of heart disease and other chronic diseases, the Mediterranean diet is the way to go!

Mediterranean diet plan

The Mediterranean diet is a popular eating plan that has been in existence for thousands of years. This means it’s not a new fad, but rather an ancient way of life and cooking with the Mediterranean culture, which dates back to 2000 BC.

The Mediterranean diet plan focuses on fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains such as brown rice or barley, beans such as lentils and pulses (chickpeas), nuts like almonds and walnuts, olive oil used for salad dressings instead of butter or margarine; fish prepared without frying; poultry baked or grilled instead of fried; small amounts meat; eggs cooked soft-boiled or poached; cheese mostly served at dinner along with raw vegetables like celery sticks. Dessert usually consists of fresh fruit, yogurt, or ice cream.

The Mediterranean diet has been linked with many health benefits, such as reduced heart disease, stroke, and cancer.

It may also help to maintain a healthy weight, improve mental health and prevent cognitive decline as we age. The Mediterranean diet is rich in antioxidants and plant sterols which are beneficial for our health.

How to start a Mediterranean diet

To start a Mediterranean diet, you’ll want to ensure that you have some of the core ingredients on hand. A Mediterranean diet typically includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds.

It also focuses on healthy fats like olive oil and avocados and moderate amounts of fish and poultry. Red meat is eaten sparingly in Mediterranean cuisine.

When following a Mediterranean diet, it’s important to remember to eat mindfully. Take your time while eating and savor the flavors and textures of your food.

This will help you feel more satisfied after meals and less likely to indulge in unhealthy snacks later.

If you’re looking for an alternative to a Mediterranean diet, the paleo lifestyle is a good choice. This eating method focuses on fresh and natural foods that can help you lose weight, improve your health, and feel great overall.

Mediterranean diet vs keto

The significant difference between the Mediterranean diet vs keto is that the Mediterranean diet focuses on healthy fats. At the same time, the other relies on no or very few carbs.

Keto requires a high amount of fat and moderate protein intake to promote weight loss.

A Mediterranean eating lifestyle allows for more “good” carbs that help you stay energized throughout the day. Still, it doesn’t cut out all carbohydrates from your meals since they are an essential part of our daily food choices.

Mediterranean Diet: Pros and Cons

The main benefit of Mediterranean diets is their ability to lower LDL cholesterol levels (bad cholesterol) because they involve significant amounts of monounsaturated fatty acids found in olive oil and avocados instead of saturated fats found primarily in red meat products as bacon and hamburger meat.

Pros:

- low in saturated fats such as red meats (less bad cholesterol)

- high intake of healthy fats, including olive oil and avocados

- includes lots of fruits/vegetables daily, which help protect against cancer, heart disease, etc.

Cons:

- The Mediterranean diet is not the best option for people with type I diabetes since it involves a lot of carbohydrates from bread or pasta

- Which can affect sugar levels very quickly. It’s best to consult your doctor before making any significant changes to your eating habits if you suffer from this health issue.

- Can be expensive to follow, especially if you are purchasing lots of organic fruits and vegetables

Paleo Diet: Pros and Cons

The Paleo diet is based on the types of foods presumed to have been eaten by our Paleolithic ancestors. These include meats, seafood, eggs, nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables.

Unlike other diets which focus on a single food group or macronutrient (carbohydrates/fats), paleo is more about eating whole natural foods that your body was designed to digest.

Pros:

- eliminates processed foods from your diet

- emphasizes eating nutrient-dense foods

- helps reduce inflammation in the body

Cons:

- Can be difficult for people who don’t like to cook because the diet focuses on whole foods

- can be expensive if you are purchasing grass-fed meats and organic produce

- some people following a Paleo diet may not be getting enough fiber, which could lead to health problems down the road.

So, what’s the verdict?

The bottom line is that both diets have their pros and cons. If you’re looking for a way to lower your harmful cholesterol levels and reduce your risk of heart disease, the Mediterranean diet would be a better option.

But suppose you’re interested in reducing inflammation in your body, eliminating processed foods from your diet, and eating more nutrient-dense foods. In that case, the Paleo diet may be proper for you.

Whichever route you choose, make sure to consult with a doctor or nutritionist before making any drastic changes to your diet.

Mediterranean diet food list

Mediterranean diet food list includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, and poultry.

Some Mediterranean staples include olives, nuts, avocados, and olive oil. Red wine is also a standard part of the Mediterranean diet.

Mediterranean diet Mediterranean staples typically are the foods you will need to eat for this type of diet. It can be not easy at first, but it should become easier over time if you follow Mediterranean staple recipes.

The Meditteranean Diet — Fruits & Vegetables: The Mediterranean diet focuses on plant-based foods, especially fruits and vegetables.

A higher amount of vitamins found in fruit is critical in any healthy eating plan.

Not only do they provide the fiber that helps with digestion, but they provide other benefits, including antioxidants that help prevent cancer and Vitamin C, among others! Try adding more color to your meals by choosing from their rainbow of colors.

- Mediterranean diet fruits and vegetables

The Meditteranean Diet — Fish & Poultry: While the Mediterranean diet does include some meat, it is best to choose fish whenever possible. Omega-three fatty acids are found in high amounts within seafood, which helps with brain function and fighting off depression.

Foods like salmon, tuna, or shrimp can help fight against cancer while also helping you feel full!

Mediterranean staples Mediterranean staple recipes avoid eating foods that could lead to inflammation of your body by eliminating dairy products such as cheese, milk, and yogurt.

Over time these should be reintroduced but focus on healthier options like almond or coconut-based items instead. Other Mediterranean staples included bread made from wheat flour and little red meat and poultry.

Mediterranean diet VS Paleo

Mediterranean diet vs whole 30 diet

The whole 30 diet is a little different from the Mediterranean diet. It is not just about eating healthy foods, but also about avoiding all processed food products and even sugar! Eating Mediterranean style requires lots of fresh vegetables, fruit, fish/seafood, eggs (possibly organic), beans (legumes), nuts.

The whole 30 diet is more strict than the Mediterranean one — no dairy, including cheese or milk, allowed in the whole30 meal plan. Mediterranean diets include yogurt or kefir at least once per day; some people believe that having full-fat dairy benefits weight loss because fat helps you feel satiated longer.

Hence, they eat low-fat yogurt, which contains added sugars like high fructose corn syrup to make up for the lack of fat. It is not allowed to eat gluten in the Mediterranean diet.

Still, some processed products contain it even when they advertise themselves as “gluten-free”, for example, bread and pasta with unpronounceable ingredients like maltodextrin, which contains glucose syrup solids (derived from corn) tapioca starch, and potato flour.

Mediterranean diets include dairy — cheeses, milk, or yogurt at least once per day; people believe having whole fat dairy has benefits for weight loss because fat helps you feel satiated longer, so they eat low-fat yogurt, which contains added sugars like high fructose corn syrup to make up for lack of fat.

A Mediterranean meal plan allows eating cereals without sugar, legumes(beans), and nuts. At the same time, the whole 30 diet forbids any processed food products.

Mediterranean diets allow eating gluten — cereals without sugar, legumes(beans), and nuts. In contrast, the whole 30 diet forbids any processed food products with unpronounceable ingredients like maltodextrin, which contains glucose syrup solids (derived from corn), tapioca starch, and potato flour.

The Mediterranean diet has been around for centuries. At the same time, whole30 is a relatively new dietary trend that has only become popular in the past few years.

Some people argue that the Mediterranean diet is more sustainable because it allows occasional treats, like wine and dark chocolate, which are not allowed on the whole 30 diets.

The whole30 diet is more strict than the Mediterranean one — no dairy including cheese or milk allowed in the whole30 meal plan; Mediterranean diets include yogurt or kefir at least once per day.

some people believe that having full-fat dairy has benefits for weight loss because fat helps you feel satiated longer. Hence, they eat low-fat yogurt, which contains added sugars like high fructose corn syrup to make up for the lack of fat.

What diet is better than the Mediterranean diet?

The Paleo diet, that’s what! The Paleo diet has been shown to have many benefits over the Mediterranean diet. Let’s take a look at some of the key differences between these two diets:

- The Paleo diet is lower in carbs and higher in protein than the Mediterranean diet. This can help you lose weight or maintain your weight more quickly.

- The Paleo diet is also lower in sugar and unhealthy fats than the Mediterranean diet. This can help improve your health overall.

- The Paleo diet includes more healthy fats than the Mediterranean diet, which can help increase your energy levels and improve your cognitive function.

- The Paleo diet excludes all processed foods, while the Mediterranean Diet allows for some processed foods. This means that the Paleo diet should be easier to follow. It won’t have as many adverse side effects for those following it.

- The Mediterranean diet is lower in protein than the Paleo Diet, leading to muscle loss over time.

- Given all of these factors, this makes the Paleo Diet a better option overall! However, if you love Mediterranean food, then the Mediterranean diet is still a good choice for you.

Is the Mediterranean diet good for weight loss?

The answer is yes, it’s good if you’re not on a calorie-controlled diet. The Mediterranean diet is excellent for weight loss and reduces the risk of heart diseases by 50 percent.

The Mediterranean diet has been associated with a longer life cycle than any other dietary pattern in history.

While Mediterranean eating was recognized as healthy like paleo decades ago, most modern diets still focus on protein rather than carbohydrates, such as whole grains and fruits, staples of Mediterranean cuisine.

What is bad about the Mediterranean diet?

Like all diets, restriction or complete elimination of certain food groups could affect your health. In some instances, the Mediterranean diet can result in:

Weight gain when taking in more calories than the recommended amount of fat (such as the olive oil or nuts)

Low levels of iron due to not eating enough the meat

Loss of calcium from eating fewer dairy products

If you’re considering following this Mediterranean diet, speak to your primary healthcare doctor regarding ways to maintain a balanced diet in addition to any supplements you may use.

What is not allowed on the Mediterranean diet?

Although the Mediterranean diet isn’t an exact diet, food items that are typically not permitted in the Mediterranean diet are:

  • Red meats processed for processing
  • Hot dogs
  • Bacon
  • Meats for lunch
  • Sausage
  • Foods that are heavily processed
  • Foods frozen that contain lots of sodium
  • Sodas
  • Sweet drinks
  • Sweet, sweet desserts
  • Candy
  • Processed cheeses
  • Refined grains
  • White bread
  • White pasta
  • White flour products
  • The alcohol (other than red wine)
  • Butter
  • Processed, refined, or hydrogenated oils
  • Soybean oil
  • Safflower oil
  • Corn oil
  • Vegetable oil
  • Canola oil
  • Hydrogenated and partially-hydrogenated oils

Can you eat oatmeal on the Mediterranean diet?

Whatever diet you pick the oatmeal will always be one of the primary foods that can help you. The slow digestion of oatmeal is the most effective carbohydrate loaded with plenty of fiber, which will keep your stomach full. In addition, it provides lots of energy.

What Kind of Oatmeal on Mediterranean Diet?

Absolutely! When you choose oatmeal for the Mediterranean diet, you’ll be looking for oats cut into steel. They are also known as Irish Oats; however, it is just one of the various natural forms of oatmeal.

It’s as similar to the standard oats can be found, which means it will be of the highest nutritious value and will keep you full.

Other forms of oats, such as instant oats, typically contain a lot of preservatives and flavorings that decrease their nutritional benefit.

In the article below, we’ll look at the traditional oats used in those who follow the Mediterranean diet.

We will then focus on integrating the oats into your diet to get the most beneficial outcomes.

How many eggs can you eat on the Mediterranean diet?

The Mediterranean Diet is indeed not only healthy but highly accessible. If you incorporate many whole foods into your daily diet, it’s well on the way to following in the Med way.

Eggs aren’t just an essential part of your Mediterranean Diet, but they can also be a factor in weight control and the strength of muscles and health, pregnancy functioning, eye health, and many other things.

Here are some examples of meals that combine the strength of eggs in the Med Diet with the benefits of eggs.

Be aware that healthy people can include one whole egg a day in their healthy diets.

Older adults may include two eggs a day; vegetarians who don’t consume cholesterol-rich animal products might add more eggs to their diet with moderate amounts.

How often can you eat chicken on the Mediterranean diet?

It is best to choose the least amount of meat you can. Select lean chicken with moderate 3 to four-ounce portions of 3 to 4 ounces.

Reserve red meat for occasional consumption, or use meat as a flavoring with lots of vegetables in stir-fries, stews, and soups. Consume more fish, striving at two to three portions each week. Fresh fish and canned fish are excellent.

Conclusion :

We hope you found the article on the Mediterranean diet vs paleo diet interesting enough to answer your queries, While there’s no one-size-fits-all Mediterranean food plan, the diet plan is generally high in nutritious plant foods and generally less animal-based, which is why it’s a strong focus on seafood and fish.

It is associated with many health benefits. It could aid in stabilizing blood sugar levels. It can also boost the health of your heart, improve the function of your brain, and so on.

Most importantly, you can alter the fundamentals that are part of the Mediterranean diet in a manner that suits your preferences.

Article originally published at https://healthshq.com/mediterranean-diet-vs-paleo/

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Sandeep Shukla

I love reading and writing on various topics as a blogger