Brozek recommends substituting both butter and margarine with olive oil or canola oil whenever possible. This falls more in line with a Mediterranean diet, which is high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. These fats have been proven to be the best types of fats.
Processed Dairy Products
Cheese slices and spreads are a good example of processed dairy food. Cream and butter that contain trans fats and additives are also not allowed on the Mediterranean diet. Emulsifiers and artificial coloring are only part of the list of additives processed dairy products contain.
Margarine often tops butter when it comes to heart health. Margarine is a blend of oils that are mostly unsaturated fat.
Can you eat peanut butter on the Mediterranean diet? You can in moderation, but you may want to check out these peanut butter nutrition facts first and only consume organic peanut butter. Tahini (made from sesame seeds) has a similar consistency and is a more popular item on the Mediterranean diet food list.
The fats allowed in this diet are mainly unsaturated fats. These include fish oils, olive oil, and certain seed oils (such as canola, soybean, and flaxseed) and nut oils (walnuts, hazelnuts, and almonds). These types of oils may have a protective effect on the heart.
The Mediterranean diet is high in plant-based foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds, and olive oil. Foods not allowed include processed red meats, heavily processed foods, refined grains, alcohol, butter, and refined/processed/hydrogenated oils.
You can still enjoy bread as part of the Mediterranean Diet, just swap your white bread for whole grains. Whole grain breads and pastas contain more fiber, vitamins and minerals. Whole wheat pitas are a healthier option as they are usually lower in calories.
Mediterranean diet is a better alternative
Brozek recommends substituting both butter and margarine with olive oil or canola oil whenever possible. This falls more in line with a Mediterranean diet, which is high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. These fats have been proven to be the best types of fats.
Basics of Mediterranean Way of Eating
Eat: Vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, legumes, potatoes, whole grains, breads, herbs, spices, fish, seafood and extra virgin olive oil. Eat in moderation: Poultry, eggs, cheese and yogurt.
Potatoes definitely shouldn't be avoided on the Mediterranean diet. Potatoes may seem like a "bad carb" sometimes, but they aren't viewed that way on this diet. They can be a great source of potassium, vitamin C, vitamin B6, fiber, and more. Try eating white potatoes and sweet potatoes without going overboard.
Nuttelex is virtually free from trans fats at 0.4% or lower. Nuttelex also contains 65% or less saturated fat than butter. In addition, Nuttelex is made with vegetable oils. Vegetable oils contain higher content of the good fats (monounsaturated fat and polyunsaturated fat) and are lower in saturated fat.
While keeping that in mind, some of the most commonly used substitutes include coconut oil, coconut butter, olive oil, safflower oil, nut butter, applesauce, yogurt, and dairy free butter.
Cheese & Yogurt
Dairy products common to the traditional Mediterranean Diet include: brie, chevre, corvo, feta, haloumi, manchego, Parmigiano-Reggiano, pecorino, ricotta, yogurt (including Greek yogurt).
Olive oil and red wine figure prominently. However, there is very little meat and dairy products. Not surprisingly, the Mediterranean diet follows a similar dietary structure to science-backed eating advice, and does NOT include foods that are high in sugar, salt, and fat.
Low or moderate amounts of cheese, such as brie, feta, ricotta, and Parmigiano Reggiano (Parmesan), are also allowed. All types of fresh fruits, including bananas, are a go on the diet.
Spain and Italy: toasted bread + soft cheese + fresh fruit or freshly squeezed fruit juice. Greece: paximadia (bread made from whole wheat, chickpea, and barley flour) + olives + cheese. Syria: tahini yogurt with chickpeas + pickles + sliced radishes. Morocco: fried egg in olive oil + soft cheese + olives + flatbread.
One of the great traditional divides in Italian cookery has been the use of cooking fats, with the North preferring butter and Central and Southern Italy relying on olive oil.
Bread made of whole wheat, whole grains, sprouts, and sourdough is recommended, as it's the healthiest type of bread. White bread made of refined flour is best avoided. That's because processing reduces the nutritional value of refined flour.
Is rice on the Mediterranean diet? Yes, rice is a staple of the Mediterranean diet. It's often eaten as a pilaf with herbs and spices rather than plain. For example, you can try Mediterranean Yellow Rice or Chickpea Rice Pilaf.
Sourdough bread has a lower glycemic index than yeast bread and some think it might be slightly healthier for you. It is eaten at almost every meal, but not in huge quantities, and always in conjunction with lots of veggies, olive oil, beans, or meat. Rice and pasta is eaten much the same way.