Why choose the Atlantic diet to lose weight and what are the differences with the Mediterranean diet?

To lose weight or stay healthy, the Mediterranean diet no longer seems to be the only recommended option. There are new studies promoting a similar method called the Atlantic diet.

This option reflects many habits of northern Spain and Portugal. The following proposal is, according to its promoters, “eat healthy, fast and cheap with our grandparents’ meals.”

What are the foods of the Atlantic diet

According to the study that promotes this way of eating, carried out by Dr. Mar Calvo Malvar, specialist in Clinical Analysis at the University Hospital of Santiago de Compostela in Spain and published in the journal of the American Medical Association, it favors fresh, seasonal and locally sourced foods.

Among these, vegetables, fruit, potatoes, wholemeal bread and wholemeal cereals, dried fruit – especially chestnuts -, legumes, honey, fish, molluscs and crustaceans, milk and cheeses.

It is also characterized by the moderate consumption of beef, pork and eggs.

Another point to highlight is that the consumption of olive oil for cooking or seasoning is recommended. While wine is indicated in moderate quantities.

Regarding cooking methods, the proposal supports simple methods. That is, steamed, baked, boiled, roasted or stewed. Unlike fried foods, as they alter the nutritional composition of the food and add calories.

What are the benefits of the Atlantic diet

The same research lists its virtues. Among these, Malvar, the doctor responsible for the research, highlighted that participants in the intervention group had a lower risk of developing metabolic syndrome than participants in the control group.

This is the name given to a group of accidentals it includes centrally distributed obesity, decreased cholesterol concentrations, high triglycerides, increased blood pressure (BP), and hyperglycemia.

Together, these increase the risk of coronary heart disease, diabetes, stroke and other serious health problems.

It also doesn’t have a significant carbon footprint and can be more cost-effective.

What are the pillars of the Mediterranean diet

Here are the guidelines published by MedlinePlus.

• . Plant-based meals.

• Lots of fish and seafood.

• Small amounts of beef and chicken.

• Plenty of whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts and legumes.

• Foods with high doses of fiber.

• Olive oil as the main source of fat used.

In both cases the key is to moderate portions and accompany them with physical exercise.