Mediterranean Diet Ideas

I have recently been diagnosed with heart disease and my GP has recommended switching to a Mediterranean diet and I need to lose 4 stone and I am looking for anyone who has done this diet and lost weight to give me some hints and tips and possible recipe ideas for idiots 😆

[TheTabbyCat Administrator 16kg]

Hi Ally2212 and welcome to this amazing forum.

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I'm sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis,I'm sure that the "Mediterranean Diet" will help. Basically it's a healthy life style, high on seasonal veggies, not too much dairy etc. It's an easy way of life, I live in Italy so apart from the pasta (too carby) it's my way of life.

I strongly suggest you read and contribute to the Daily Diary , where you will find many, valid, ways to lose weight by living a healthy lifestyle.You will be able to give and recieve support by participating in the Weekly Weigh in.

You mention that you need to lose 4 stone, I suggest that you split this up into "mini goals" of 1 or 2 lbs a week. You'll be surpirised how quickly the weight falls off just by being accountable with everyone on this forum.

If you need anymore help, just shout.

Good luck I hope to "see " you around.

[Lytham 3 stone]

Hello and welcome, sorry to hear about your diagnosis.

I've never tried the Mediterranean Diet, I follow Low Carb but from what I can gather it's pretty much the same. Lots of lovely fresh veggies and salad with some protein and healthy fats to keep you full up. No sugar or carbs (which are basically sugar) .

Loving the recipies for idiots! Lol ! When I first came here Pot Noodles were my specialities! . If you look under topics you'll find lots of recipes people have posted and under Pinned Posts you'll find springersrule monthly foodie thread, she's also a Low Carber that has lost heaps of weight.

Good luck hun! x

[focused1 Maintainer 13kg]

Did the Dr give any prompts towards what you should eat ? Maybe phone back and ask to see a dietitian as the Dr has recommended this or do they supply a guidance sheet . After surgery I was given a comprehensive list of what I should eat . Med to some would be pasta and pizza . To others it would be fish , salad , fresh veg / fruit and olive oil but in measured quantities. Med is a broad word especially if you have medical issues too . I would browse the library . I feel those great photos in books give me inspiration. The focus for me now is portion size . I feel I eat well but maybe too much. Ask for guidance on this . Vague words without specifics is surprising from a GP . I would want them to expand .

[Eryl Visitor]

The Pioppi Diet is the name of a book by Dr Aseem Malhotra and it describes a refined verion of the Mediterranean diet. It's the one MP Tom Watson followed to loose weight and reverse his diabetes. If you have heart disesase you need lots of Vitamin K2 which keeps the calcium in the bones and out of the cardiovascular system. K vitamins are found in dark leafy greens like kale, chard, sprouts and broccoli. Basically the darker the leaf the better. Vitamin k is also in olive oil and I reccomend you avoid refined seed oils and only use olive oil, coconut oil, butter or lard.

[moreless Administrator 7 stone in reply to Eryl]

Be sure you do NOT increase your vitamin K intake if you are on Warfarin, or any other blood thinning medication, without consulting your GP first.

[Maxy6 6kg]

I actually follow a modified Mediterranean diet and I can tell you that the key is eating lots of veggies and fruits, limiting red meat and complex carbs like white bread, white potatoes, very little sugar. Pasta is limited unless made from veggies. Only healthy fats. I also use a fair amount of very pure extra virgin olive oil.However, as stated above, please ask your GP for a dietician consult. There may be things they want you to omit or include with your heart disease and your medications.

[Hidden in reply to Maxy6]

Thank you, my GP didn't give me any guidance other than take a look at British Heart Foundation website and Google Mediterranean diets 🤦🏻‍♀️ this is why I have approached all of the lovely people on here for help

[Maxy6 6kg]

Well, there are lots of websites devoted to Mediterranean diets, but make sure they are written by a dietician.