A great number of different diets are accessible to men and women via the internet and the media. The very fact that so many men and women are intent on losing a few pounds in as quick a way as possible, makes even the most absurd diet plan seem plausible.

But the problem is, that most of these diets that are in wide use, do not offer long term results. It's not enough to lose 3 or 4 pounds. It's a matter of losing the weight and keeping it off. It won't be the first time that someone tried these diets, and in many cases lost weight significantly, but soon after they stopped dieting and the weight came back even faster than before.

The problem of all these popular dieting systems is that they usually take into consideration only calories. But the foundation of a successful diet is more complex than that - each detail has to be treated as the most important thing. Instead of following short term diet-plans that gives fast results which fade away even faster, it is much better to turn to a more healthy lifestyle.

One of the concepts that become quite popular today is the so-called Mediterranean Diet Pyramid. Historically, the Mediterranean region was known for its healthy living conditions. The number of chronic diseases among Europeans is small compared with the worldwide average. The Mediterranean Diet Pyramid is based on the cuisine traditions of the Greek island of Crete, in addition to other European countries that include Italy, Southern France, and Portugal. Some elements of the traditional Northern African cuisine are also represented in Mediterranean Diet Pyramid.

So what are these Mediterranean diet foods that are considered to be so healthy? First of all, the Mediterranean Diet Pyramid has a lot of different plant products: vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds. That is probably the key component of the entire Mediterranean diet pyramid. The daily food also includes a lot of bread, potatoes and seeds of all sorts. Vegetables are also widely represented in cuisine of the most European countries. And it is usual to have some fruit on desert. It is also very important to have fresh and local foods on the table - that allows receiving all the necessary nutrients.

In most European countries olive oil is also often used - and in the Mediterranean Diet Pyramid it is probably the main source of fat. The Mediterranean Diet Pyramid includes protein but most of it comes from fish and eggs - two or four eggs per week is typical   I many Mediterranean countries. All this lean protein is included on weekly basis. Sweets are at the low end of the pyramid - not to be consumed more than a few times a week at the most.

And, of course, the main element of Mediterranean diet pyramid is an active lifestyle. A certain amount of physical activity every day is a must at least three times a week. This
Keeps your metabolism at its appropriate level and is good for circulation.

People in many countries of Northern and Eastern Europe and North America turn to Mediterranean Diet Pyramid because it provides an opportunity to stay healthy without sacrificing your favorite foods.