The Cretan Diet, Six weeks to healthy eating Week One.

The Cretan Diet… let's get started

The Mediterranean Diet, especially the Cretan diet, is one of the healthiest in the world, so how come that so many of us put on weight when we live here? How can we enjoy the lovely food and stay slim and healthy? Back in the day I used to work for Slimming magazine and run several of their clubs so I had training in nutrition and weight loss.
For the next six weeks I am going to look at how we all can take advantage of the wonderful variety of fresh foods here for our heath - and waistlines! If it is popular I may extend it like an online club - we will see how it goes. Today an overview and a look at how to start.

The Cretan diet includes dairy products 

Lots of aromatic herbs

Juicy fruit and vegetables

Fresh bread, home made or from the local baker

A colourful array of tasty dishes

Lots of pulses

cooked with fresh veg and herbs

Freshly picked and cooked vegetables

salad leaves and herbs

A small amount of meat, often grilled or boiled

Snacks, packed with vitamins

Seasonal fruit

…and veg

Often home grown

often from a local grower

Horta (wild greens, often collected from the fields)

Fish

seafood

fruit from the garden

snails - not compulsory!

A glass of wine with your meal

A…. glass….. of….. wine!!!!

How to begin? This plan will have a little of everything - you will not be deprived and good for your overall health even if you are not interested in weight loss.

This week eat and drink as normal. Keep a record of everything you eat (everything!) with approximate quantities - I do not expect you to be weighing and measuring in tavernas, but if putting down wine for example state how many glasses and how large the glasses were. Don't try to cut back, this record is for you alone. This is your starting point.

Next week I will look at what we should be eating and drinking and suggesting things to indulge in and to cut down on.

If you have any questions please add them to the comments and I will cover them in the next couple of weeks. Share this with any friends that you think may be interested too  - this is not a dismal diet where everything is avoided. Moderation is the key. You will still be able to indulge in your favourites!